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Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  Microraproducttons  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


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Lea  axemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  an 
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par  la  premier  plat  at  an  terminant  soit  par  la 
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plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  las  autras  axemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  an  commandant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  emprainta 
d'impraasion  ou  d'illustration  at  an  terminant  par 
la  darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
darniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  salon  la 
cas:  le  symbols  — »•  signifia  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  pauvent  dtra 
filmis  i  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  &tre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  filmi  i  partir 
de  Tangle  supirieur  gauche,  da  gauche  i  droite. 
et  de  haut  an  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombra 
d'images  nicessaira.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithoda. 


1 

2 

3 

1 


MICROCOPY   RfSOlUTION   TBST   CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


1.0 


I.I 


2.0 


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S^  Rochester.   Ne«  rork        14609       USA 

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'W 


THE   LOST  JEWEL 


OF   THS 


MORTIMERS. 


BY 


ANNA  T.  SADLIER. 


ST.  LOUIS.  MO.    1904. 
PablUhed  by  B.  HSBDSK. 

17  South  Broadway. 


I '  I     i  *    * 


I 


ll 


COFVRIGHT  1904 

BY 

JOSBPH  GUMMBRSBACB. 


-BECKTOLD  — 

PRINTINa  AND  BCX3K  MFC  CO. 
ST.  LOWS,  MCW  .  .  . 


•  •  *  • 
•  .  ■ 


CONTENTS. 

Chapter.  Page. 

I.  The  Mansion  at  Pine  Bluff.  ...       5 

li.  The  Reading  of  the  Document.  .     19 

III.  Julian  tells  his  Mother 33 

IV.  Anselm  Benedict 45 

V.  The  First  Test  and  its  Results  .  .     58 

VI.  A  Camp  in  the  Forest 73 

VII.  The  Adv  ntures  of  a  Night   ...     92 

VIII.  The  Mad  Hermit 107 

IX.  An  Afternoon's  Adventures  .   ,   .   121 
yd  The  Cavern  in  the  Forest  ....   138 

XI.  Among  Smugglers 153 

XII.  To  the  Rescue 169 

XIII.  Julian  meetJ  with  Misfortune   .   .  181 

XIV.  Before  the  Third  Test  ......  aoo 

XV.  The  Final  Test 220 

XVI.  Success  at  last 235 

XVII.  Joy  all  round 247 


N^^NuN 


"THE  LOST  JEWEL  OP  THE  MORTIMERS" 
IS  REPRINTED  FROM  THE  "AVE  MARIA" 
IN   WHICH   IT   APPEARED   AS   A   SERIAL. 


1- 


The  Lost  Jewel  of  the  Mortimers. 


Chapter  i. 

The  Mansion  at  Pine  Bluff. 

When  Julian  Mortimer  received  the  invita- 
tion to  visit  his  grandfather  at  Pine  Bluff, 
near  the  sea,  it  was,  indeed,  an  event  in  his 
life;  though  he  by  no  means  understood  its 
import.  He  supposed,  in  his  careless  boy- 
fashion,  that  the  old  gentleman  had  suddenly 
grown  w  ^ry  of  solitude  and  had  bethought 
himself  city  relatives,  who  seldom  got  a 
wiiiff  of  .dit-air  or  a  glimpse  of  the  country. 
Hit*  •mother,  who  was  better  informed,  looked 
sc  ^e-vhat  pale  and  anxious,  standing  thought- 
fully at  the  window  commanding  the  street, 
on  the  morning  fixed  for  the  departure.  She 
heard  Julian  announcing  the  good  tidings  to 
sundry  of  his  boy  friends  who  had  not  already 
heard  them: 

(5) 


6      THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"I'm  going  down  to  Pine  Bluff  to  my 
grandfather's,  and  I  guess  I'm  going  to  have 
a  pretty  good  time, — I'm  sure  of  it.  There's 
lets  of  boating  there,  and  a  pony  to  ride  and 
a.  gun  to  shoot  with." 

"Shoot  what?"  inquired  one  of  his  hearers, 
with  a  touch  of  mockery. 

Julian  replied,  rather  vaguely: 

"Oh,  rabbits,  birds,  anything!  Bother 
that  carriage!  Why  doesn't  it  come?  We'll 
be  late  for  the  train," 

"There's  time  enough,"  observed  his 
mother  from  the  window.  "It  wants  nearly 
an  hour  of  train  time." 

Julian,  by  way  of  passing  the  time,  began 
to  hop  up  and  down  the  block  on  one  leg, 
and  presently  engaged  in  a  friendly  tussle 
with  his  next-door  neighbor.  Anything  was 
preferable  to  keeping  still.  Meanwhile  his 
mother  at  her  post  of  observation  was  re- 
flecting. 

"He  may  find  his  grandfather  rather  stern, 
and  I'm  afraid  of  that  matter  of  the  jewel. 
I'm  sure  those  tests  are  dangerous,  and — " 

Julian  interrupted  her  by  a  great  shout. 
The  carriage  was  in  sight.  Mrs.  Mortimer 
quietly  put  on  her  widow's  bonnet  and  but- 


THE  MANSION  AT  PINE  BLUFF.  7 

toned  her  coat.  She  knelt  a  moment,  as  was 
her  habit,  to  ask  for  protection  on  the  journey. 
Then  she  gathered  up  the  various  small 
articles  of  luggage — the  trunks  having  already 
gone, — and  preceded  her  restless  son  into  the 
waiting  vehicle. 

The  journey  was  an  uneventful  one,  and  to 
Julian  rather  wearisome;  though  he  flattened 
his  nose  against  the  pane  in  the  effort  to  see 
everything.  But  he  felt  as  if  he  should  never 
arrive  at  that  mysterious,  wonderful  end  of 
the  journey,  which  seemed  like  a  leap  into 
the  future;  for  he  pictured  to  himself  all  sorts 
of  glories  in  connection  therewith.  He  talked 
incessantly — that  is,  in  the  intervals  of  regal- 
ing himself  with  "peppermint  chew"  or 
sucking  an  orange, — and  asked  his  mother 
all  manner  of  questions. 

It  was  afternoon  when  the  first,  strong, 
pungent  whiff  of  salt-air  reached  them  and 
delighted  the  city  boy's  nostrils.  But  it  was 
dusk  when  the  train  drew  up  with  a  jerk, 
and  mother  and  son  found  themselves  at  a 
country  station,  where  many  others  were 
alighting  too.  Vehicles  of  various  kinds  stood 
waiting,  and  greetings  were  shouted  to  arriv- 
ing passengers  from  groups  of  loungers  on  the 


8      THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


platform.  A  tall  figure  in  dark  green  livery 
presently  stepped  up  to  where  Mrs.  Mortimer 
stood,  looking  around  her  uncertainly. 

"Mrs.  Robert  Mortimer?"  inquired  the 
man. 

On  being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  he 
seized  the  lady's  satchels  and  led  the  way  to 
a  handsome  family  carriage,  of  somewhat 
old-fashioned  make.  Julian  felt  quite  in  awe 
of  this  equipage,  as  well  as  of  the  solemn 
coachman,  who  shut  them  in  as  if  he  were 
imprisoning  them  for  life.  But  when  the 
splendid  pair  of  horses  were  once  in  motion, 
going  at  a  rapid  pace  over  a  smooth  r  ad,  the 
boy  could  not  contain  his  delight.  He  thrust 
his  head  out  of  the  window  and  fairly  hur- 
rahed to  the  ocean,  as  he  caught  sight  of  it, 
foaming  and  wave-crested,  booming  on  the 
rocky  shore,  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff  along 
which  they  were  driving.  His  mother  had  to 
restrain  him  several  times,  having  a  whole- 
some respect  for  the  grave  official  on  the  box. 

At  last  the  carriage  came  to  a  stone  wall, 
severely  plain  and  spiked  on  top  with  iron 
spikes,  and  drove  through  a  huge  iron  gatt ; 
which  with  a  touch  of  his  whip  the  coachniau 
caused  to  clang  behind  them.     This  gave  the 


i, 


THE  MANSION  AT  PINE  BLUFF.  9 

mother  an  uncanny  feeling  of  the  closing  of 
prison  gates  upon  her,  but  Julian  cried: 

"Isn't  this  jolly,  mother?  It's  exactly  like 
a  storybook.  I  hope  there'll  be  some  other 
fellows  round,  though;  and  then  we'll  have 
a  tiptop  time." 

"There  is  certainly  no  'fellow'  at  your 
grandfather's,"  replied  Mrs.  Mortimer,  "un- 
less he  has  invited  some  of  the  others." 

"What  others?"  inquired  Julian,  wonder- 

ingly. 

His  mother  was  silent.      The   "others" 
vaguely  referred  to  the  various  branches  of 
her  husband's  family,  with  whom,  however, 
she  had  no  acquaintance.  Fortunately,  Julian's 
attention  was  distracted  by  the  scarlet  berries 
of  the  sumach,  and  by  the  squirrels  darting 
about  and  curiously  eying  the  equipage  as  it 
swept  round  the  curves  of  the  avenue.     On 
either   side    were  glorious  trees,   promising 
many  a  game  of  hide-and-seek.    Julian,  with 
the  eye  of  a  connoisseur,  had  already  selected 
certain  of  the  tallest  trees,  which  he  meant  to 
climb  on  the  morrow. 

t.  His  interest  was  finally  absorbed,  however, 
by  the  house  when  it  appeared  in  sight, — 
long,  low  and  of  colonial  fashion,  with  so 


lO    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

many  windows,  a  veranda  tunning  all  about 
it,  thick  ivy  concealing  its  outer  walls,  and 
with  a  general  air  of  well-being  which  pleased 
and  impressed  the  travellers.  As  they  alighted, 
a  tall,  somewhat  florid  gentleman,  very  care- 
fully dressed  and  with  the  evidences  of  pros- 
perity in  his  whole  appearance,  advanced  to 
the  head  of  the  steps,  greeting  the  new  ar- 
rivals courteously.  Immediately  in  his  wake 
appeared  a  trim  housemaid,  who  seized  satch- 
els and  umbrellas  and  vanished  as  if  she  had 
been  an  automaton. 

•'Welcome,  my  dear  Mrs.  Robert!"  ex- 
claimed the  old  gentleman.  "And  welcome, 
Julian!" 
»His  keen  eyes  surveyed  the  fine,  manly 
figure  of  his  grandson  standing  before  him, 
cap  in  hand,  with  bright,  upturned  face,  and 
fearless  eyes  of  brown,  and  chestnut  curls 
clustering  close-cut  about  the  head. 

"He  has  an  air  of  being — adventurous," 
commented  the  grandfather.  "Well,  we  shall 
give  scope  to  that  sort  of  thing  here;  and 
really  he  is  very  like,  very  like  him/^ 

Mrs.  Mortimer  smiled  nervously,  knowing 
the  other's  meaning. 

"He  doesn't  resemble   his  father  at  all," 


THE  MANSION  AT  PINE  BLUFF. 


IX 


went  on  Mr.  Mortimer, — "not  in  the  least." 
"No,  not  in  the  least,"  agreed  Mrs.  Mortimer. 
"Hi  is  exactly  the  opposite  in  every  respect." 

"The  better  for  this  quest,"  remarked  the 
grandfather,  somewhat  dryly.  "But  I  am 
keeping  you  sta'  ing  here.  How  very 
thoughtless!     Pray  enter!" 

He  ushered  l-otli  visitors  into  an  apartment 
which  tv)  Julian  appeared  the  very  synonym 
for  luxury:  the  lozenged  windows,  with  vivid 
yellow  panes ;  the  hard  wood  floor  rug-strewn ; 
the  piano,  the  pictures,  the  easy-cnairs  and 
divans. 

"Rest  for  a  few  moments  in  the  morning 
room,"  said  the  old  gentleman.  "The  maid 
will  bring  you  tea  aid  show  you  to  your 
apartments.  We  shall  meet  at  dinner  at  half 
past  seven.  We  are  very  punctual  here, 
Master  Julian. " 

He  shook  his  finger  playfully  at  the  boy, 
as  if  he  suspt.'cted  him  of  the  opposite  quality 
of  unpunctuality ;  but  Julian  was  quite  un- 
aisturbed  by  the  suggestion,  though  it  brought 
a  contraction  to  his  mother's  smooth  brow. 

The  grandfather  havi  «5[one,  Julian's  eyes 
grew  big  and  round  as  stared  hard  at  all 
the  costly  objects  about  him,  walking  with 


12    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

hands  deep  in  his  pockets,  and  occasionally 
giving  an  involuntary  whistle. 

"Mother",  he  said  at  length,  in  a  somewhat 
subdued  tone,  "it's  just  like  one  of  those 
castles  I  used  to  read  about  'vhen  I  was 
a  kid." 

"It  is  acastie  of  mystery,"  said  thf:  mother, 
absently. 

"Of  mystery?"  cried  Julian,  eagerly  catch- 
ing at  the  word. 

"I  mean  that  I  know  so  little  about  it," 
explained  the  mother  evasively.  "It  always 
puzzles  me,  and  so  does  its  master." 

"Grandfather?"  cried  Julian.  "Oh,  he's 
fine,  mother!  And  he  has  such  grand  clothes, 
and  I  saw  him  take  out  such  a  watch!  I  wish 
it  was  dinner-time,  so  as  to  see  him  again, 
and  hear  what  he's  got  to  say." 

The  maid  entering  with  tea  cut  short 
Julian's  discourse;  and  presently  she  led  them 
up  to  a  delightful  suit  of  apartments,  cheerful 
and  sunny  in  daytime,  but  which  just  then 
were  brilliantly  lighted  with  electric  lamps. 
A  great  linden  thrust  its  branches  in  at  the 
sitting-room  window;  and  on  the  huge  hearth 
blazed  a  fire,  for  the  evenings  were  chill. 
Julian   stretched  himself   full-length   on  the 


TnE  MANSION  AT  PINE  BLUFF. 


13 


rug,  and  gave  way  to  quite  unusual  inaction 
as  he  gazed  into  ^lie  fire.  He  was  lost  in 
thought,  for  his  mind  was  already  full  of 
dreams  and  plans. 

His  mother,  having  completed  her  toilet, 
sat  lost  in  thought,  till  a  great  gong,  resonant 
but  silvery  sweet  and  clear,  rang  through  the 
house,  and  at  the  same  moment  a  tall  clock, 
which  Julian  had  remarked  upon  the  stair- 
case, sounded  half  past  cMeven. 

"Dinner!"  cried  Julian,  adding  that  he  was 
"as  hungry  as  a  hunter",  and  rushing  to  open 
the  door  and  precede  his  mother  downstairs. 
When  the  two  approached  the  drawing-room, 
the  door  was  thrown  open  by  a  servant,  and 
they  found  themselves  in  presence  of  the  mas- 
ter of  the  house  and  of  three  boys,  all  stand- 
ing silently  and  somewhat  uncomfortably 
about  the  stately  and  gorgeously  appointed 
apartment. 

"Oh,  goody!"  said  Julian  to  himself. 
"There  are  some  fellows  here.  I  wonder  who 
they  are?  I  guess  they  must  be  the  'others'." 
For  he  remembered  his  mother's  phrase.  He 
gazed  at  them  cheerfully  and  with  interest, 
while  his  grandfather  spoke  as  follows: 

"Mrs.  Robert  and  Master  Julian,  these  are 


14    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


4* 


Masters  William  Sedgwick,  John  Jacob,  and 
Walter  Worthington,  belonging  respectively 
to  the  families  of  Sedgwick  Mortimer,  Jacob 
Mortimer,  and  Worthington  Mortimer." 

They  were,  indeed,  the  "others".  Mrs. 
Robert  Mortimer  inclined  her  head  and  srr^led 
at  each  boy  in  turn.  Julian  greeted  them  all 
with  easy  and  cordial  good-fellowship,  to 
which  each  lad  responded  according  to  his 
nature.  They  were  all  very  different,  the  one  ^ 
from  the  other,  in  manners  and  appearance; 
the  first  named  being  short,  thickset  and 
freckled;  the  second,  tall,  dark  and  hatchet-  V, 
faced;  the  third,  blue-eyed,  pale  and  with 
nondescript  hair. 

Mr.  Mortimer,  taking  out  the  handsome 
gold  repeater  which  had  so  attracted  his 
grandson's  fancy,  tapped  it  significantly, 
saying: 

**In  consequence  of  this  ceremony  of  intro- 
duction, we  are  exactly  five  minutes  late  for 
dinner,— quite  an  unusual  occurrence." 

He  gave  his  arm  to  his  daughter-in-law, 
and  the  boys  all  passed  in  together,  in  a  some- 
what sheepish  silence,  which  even  Julian  did 
not  feel  inclined  to  break. 

Mrs.  Mortimer  was  placed  at  her  father-in- 


THE  MANSION  AT  PINE  BLUFF. 


15 


law's  right  hand;  Sedgwick,  the  thickset  lad, 
in  virtue  of  age,  sat  opposite. 

"Julian,  I  believe,  is  the  youngest,"  ob- 
served the  grandfather,  eying  the  boy  as  he 
spoke. 

'•I'm  fifteen  my  next  birthday,"  declared 
Julian  promptly,— at  which  the  other  boys 
stared;  for  they  stood  in  awe  of  the  florid  old 
gentleman  and  would  by  no  means  have 
addressed  him  uninvited. 

"Fifteen  is  quite  an  advanced  age,"  said 
the  grandfather,  in  a  tone  which  somehow 
left  a  slightly  disagreeable  impression  on  the 
mother's  mind.  "But  it  still  leaves  you, 
Master  Julian,  in  the  position  of  the  youngest. 
Sedgwick  is,  I  am  informed,  seventeen,  John 
Jacob  sixteen,  and  Walter  Worthington  a 
month  or  two  younger.  But  you  are  still  old 
enough  to  take  your  share  of  what  may  be 
demanded  of  you,  and  to  enjoy  adventure; 
otherwise  you  should  not  be  here." 

As  none  of  the  boys  understood  the  mean- 
ing of  this  mysterious  speech,  they  made  no 
attempt  to  answer,  and  silently  devoted  them- 
selves, with  an  appetite  which  even  the  old 
gentleman's  presence  could  not  subdue,  to  the 
excellent  dinner — soup,  roast  fowls,  tender 
vegetables,  puddings,  cakes  and  fruit. 


l6    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


*'To-inorrow  morning  I  will  see  you  all  in 
the  library,"  said  the  grandfather,  dis  rissing 
the  boys  from  his  presence  and  courteously 
leading  his  daughter-in-law  to  the  morning 
room,  where  he  invited  her  to  seek  recreation 
in  the  magazines  and  light  literature  strewn 
about,  or  to  try  some  of  the  new  music  which 
stood  temptingly  in  a  stand  by  the  grand 
piano.  This  promised  a  treat  to  Mrs.  Robert, 
who  was  an  excellent  musician;  but  she  felt 
inexplicably  anxious  and  heavy-hearted,  and 
could  not  bring  herself  to  disturb  the  silence 
of  the  room  by  any  music  of  hers. 

"You  will  excuse  me,  I  know, — for  to- 
night at  least,"  said  the  host.  **My  evenings 
are  usually  devoted  to  my  books.  In  my  lib- 
rary I  always  find  perfectly  congenial  society, 
and  so  have  got  into  unsocial  habits." 

His  daughter-in-law  begged  of  him  to  make 
no  change  in  his  custom  on  her  account,  and 
felt  a  very  sensible  relief  when  he  left  her  to 
her  own  thoughts. 

Meanwhile  the  boys  were  out  on  the  lawn, 
looking  about  and  talking  busily.  Julian, 
within  a  few  minutes,  had  inquired  of  his 
cousins  what  school  they  went  to,  what  clas- 
ses they  were  in,  whether  they  had  got  to  the 


THE  MANSION  AT  PINE  BLUFF. 


17 


ti 


asses'  bridge"  in  geometry,  where  they 
lived,  and  who  were  their  chums.  Sedgwick 
was  disposed  to  treat  him  with  good-natured 
contempt  as  a  •'kid'' ;  John  Jacob  was  reserved 
and  somewhat  moody ;  but  to  Walter  Worth- 
ington  Julian  was  soon  displaying  a  valued 
pocketknife  which  had  got  mixed  up  with  the 
rosary  given  to  the  boy  by  his  teacher,  and 
on  which  he  faithfully  said  his  beads  once  a 
day.  Walter  responded  with  similar  marks 
of  confidence,  displaying  a  hard-wood  top, 
a  fishing  line,  and  d  bit  of  punk,  relic  of  past 
fireworks. 

•*Rum  placv  this,"  grumbled  John  Jacob. 

♦♦Oh,  I  think  it's  fine!" 

♦♦You  do,  curly  pate,— do  you?"  laughed 
Sedgwick.  ♦♦So  do  I.  Wouldn't  mind  own- 
ing it." 

♦'lyook  here,  why  do  you  think  it's  rum, 
John  Jacob?"  inquired  Julian. 

♦♦Say,  cut  that!"  retorted  the  hatchet- faced 
one.  ♦'Call  me  Jake.  And  I  think  it's  rum 
because  it  is." 

Though  they  thus  disagreed  on  one  im- 
portant point,  they  very  soon  joined  the  others 
in  a  game  of  leapfrog,  till  a  bell  sounded  and 
a  peremptory  message  came  from  their  grand- 


l8    THE  LOST  JKWKL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

father  that  this  was  the  signal  for  bed.  There 
was  much  grumbling,  especially  ou  the  part 
of  John  Jacob.  Julian  acquiesced  with  cheer- 
ful philosophy;  Walter — or,  as  he  had  re- 
quested to  be  called,  "Wat" — s.  i  little;  and 
Sedgwick's  growling  was  toleiauly  good- 
natured.  So  night  and  darkness  found  Julian 
and  the  ''others"  at  Pine  Bluff  with  but  little 
realization  of  how  momentous  was  the  oc- 
casion. 


Chapter  II. 
The  Reading  of  the  Document. 

The  following  morning  brought  a  summon^ 
for  each  boy  to  the  library;  and  even  Juliau 
despite  his  natural  fearlessness,  felt 
timid  when  he  passed  within  the  porti.  of 
that  vast  room,  sacred  to  the  privacy  of  old 
Mr.  Mortimer.  That  gentleman  sat  at  a  table 
with  a  parchment  spread  out  before  him. 
The  document  was  yellow  with  age  and  sealed 
with  quaint  seals.  The  grandfather  looked 
paler  than  his  wont,  and  there  was  a  stem, 
hard  expression  upon  his  face  as  he  fixed  his 
eyes  intf  tly  upon  each  boy  in  turn.  Julian 
alone  never  quailed  before  him;  yet  the  look 
seemed  to  pierce  him  through  and  through, 
and  an  odd  feeling  came  over  the  lad  that 
each  had  been  brought  there  to  be  tried  and 
condemned  to  some  unknown  sentence. 

**I  have  brought  you  here,"  said  Mr.  Mor- 
timer, leaning  back  in  his  chair  and  speaking 
with  deliberation,  "to  make  known  to  you 

(19) 


20    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

a  quest,  or  competition,  which  the  mad 
eccentricity  of  an  ancestor  has  imposed  upon 
his  race." 

There  was  a  world  of  bitterness  in  the  old 
man's  voice;  however,  he  went  on: 

"It  is  true  you  are  not  obliged  to  accept 
these  conditions.  Any  one  of  you  may  arise, 
when  he  has  heard  what  I  have  to  say,  and 
Have  this  room  and  this  house,  never  to  re- 
turn. And  who  knows  but  that  su^h  might 
not  be  the  wisest  course?" 

The  curiosity  of  the  boys  was  by  this  time 
at  fever  heat,  but  none  of  them  dared  to  put 
a  question. 

"Nevertheless",  he  added,  "you  will  prob- 
ably decide  otherwise;  for  youth,  generally 
speaking,  is  rash,  adventurous,  full  of  con- 
fidence in  its  own  raw  metal,  and  has  little  to 
do  with  wisdom." 

He  paused  again,  and  strange  expressions 
crossed  his  face,  which  an  older  observer 
might  have  interpreted  as  anger,  self-contempt , 
bitterness  and  regret;  but  the  listeners  were 
anxious  only  to  hear  the  end  of  this  wondrous 
narrative. 

"I  may  as  well  warn  you,"  resumed  Mr. 
Mortimer,   "that  I  attempted  to  fulfil  these 


THE  READING  OF  THE  DOCUMENT.        21 


conditions  and  failed;  that  each  of  your  fathers 
failed, — some  miserably." 

The  old  man's  eyes  rested  on  Julian  as  he 
spoke  the  last  words. 

"My  father  before  me  failed,  his  father 
failed,  and  so  goes  back  this  absurd  tradition 
to  the  fountain-head.  And  what  has  this 
quixotic  whim  of  our  forbear  done  for  his 
descendants?  It  has  put  enmity  between 
father  and  son,  set  brother  against  brother. 
It  has  left  them  all  discontented  and  has  pre- 
vented legitimate  effort  in  any  other  direction. 
It  has  occurred  to  my  mind,  moreover,  that  it 
may  be  a  myth,  a  pure  invention,  an  allegory. 
The  lost  jewel  of  which  I  am  about  to  read  to 
you  may  have  no  existence.  There  may  be 
no  hidden  room.  Now  I  shall  read  you  the 
document,  and  I  must  modernize  the  language 
somehow  or  it  will  be  impossible  for  you  to 
follow  the  visionary's  words." 

He  unfolded  the  document  with  a  hand 
which  trembled  somewhat;  for  he  vividly  re- 
called the  day  upon  which  he  in  his  youth 
had  heard  that  reading,  and,  with  beating 
heart  and  glowing  cheek,  had  vowed  never  to 
rest  till  he  had  found  the  lost  jewel  of  the 
Mortimers.    Well,  he  had  grown  weary  soon. 


■A 


22    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

and  had  found  inglorious  ease  instead.  All 
the  rest  had  been  beyond  him.  Adjusting  his 
gold-rimmed  glasses,  he  began  to  read,  with- 
out further  comment : 

"I,  Anselm  Benedict  Mortimer,  being  an 
exile  from  my  country  for  the  profession  of 
the  Catholic  and  Roman  Faith,  and  having 
for  that  reason,  with  my  father,  crossed  the 
seas,  am  desirous  that  my  descendants  she  aid 
be  imbued  with  those  qualities  of  truth,  valor, 
purity  and  honor  which  have  been  theirs  since 
the  days  of  chivalry.  I  do  hereby  bequeathe 
to  that  one  amongst  them  who  shall  discover 
what  shall  henceforth  be  known  as  the  lost 
jewel  of  the  Mortimers — it  is  a  ruby  of  ex- 
ceeding great  price,  of  unusual  size  and  col- 
oring,— the  finder  of  the  stone  shall  come  into 
possession  of  large  sums  of  money  variously 
invested,  with  all  accumulations  thereupon; 
and,  after  the  death  of  the  occupant  then  in 
possession,  shall  become  the  owner  of  the 
mansion  of  Pine  Bluff,  built  by  my  father  on 
first  coming  to  these  colonies. 

"But  the  discovery  of  this  jewel,  which  is 
concealed  in  a  hidden  room,  can  not  be  made 
without  much  diligence  and  courage;  and  the 
seeker  must   undergo   ordeals    which    shall 


H 


THE  READING  OF  THE  DOCUMENT.        2$ 

develop  manliness,  fortitude,  endurance,  with 
a  habit  of  truthfulness.  For  being  discovered 
in  a  single  falsehood  shall  disqualify  him  for 
the  quest;  and  his  conduct  must  be  in  imita- 
tion of  those  knights  who  were  enrolled  in  the 
Order  of  Chivalry. 

"Till  the  jewel  be  discovered,  the  aforesaid 
mansion  shall  remain  in  possession  of  the 
eldest  son  of  the  eldest  branch.  But  even  if 
he  have  heirs  direct,  he  must  relinquish  it  to 
him  who  finds  the  jewel.  Meanwhile  he  shall 
have  sufficient  monies  to  maintain  him  in 
comfort,  and,  if  he  will,  in  the  luxury  befit- 
ting his  station. 

"The  eldest  son  of  each  branch  may  alone 
enter  the  competition;  nor  may  any  younger 
brother  be  substituted  in  his  place;  nor  shall 
it  take  place  until  the  youngest  competitor 
has  attained  his  fifteenth  year.  The  list  of 
ordtais  through  which  the  seekers  must  pass 
are  here  subjoined,  but  need  not  be  told  to 
them  in  detail  until  they  shall  have  entered 
upon  the  qu-st.  Let  them  but  understand 
that  their  courage,  fortitude  and  manliness 
shall  be  put  to  severest  tests." 

Here  ended  the  reading  of  the  document, 
and  the  boys  looked  at  one  another.      To 


24    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


' 


Julian,  at  least,  it  seemed  as  if  the  twentieth 
century  had  faded  away,  and  as  if  the  grim, 
wainscoted  library  were  a  chamber  in  some 
enchanted  castle.  The  books  themselves 
seemed  spectral,  and  the  grandfath-r  a  power- 
ful enchanter.  The  possession  of  the  ruby  or 
of  the  wealth  which  accompanied  it  did  not 
appeal  very  much  to  Julian:  it  was  the  prom- 
ised adventures  which  fairly  turned  his  head; 
the  thought  of  seeking  for  a  lost  jewel  and  a 
hidden  room  through  unknot. ii  dangers  and 
thrilling  experiences.  True  he  began  to  re- 
member how  frequently  his  mother  had  been 
in  sore  straits  for  money  to  meet  all  expenses, 
to  pay  for  his  education  and  to  keep  him 
clothed  and  fed.  It  would  be  a  fine  thing  to 
have  a  lot  of  money  to  give  her,  and  the 
jewel  too,  and  to  let  her  live  in  this  beautiful 
house  forever. 

He  looked  about  him:  the  other  boys  were 
plainly  excited.  The  hatchet-faced  boy  was 
leaning  forward,  his  eager  gaze  fixed  upon  the 
parchment.  Sedgwick  tapped  his  foot  ner- 
vously upon  the  floor,  as  though  he  were  eager 
to  start  that  moment  upon  the  quest.  Wat's 
pale  face  glowed  with  excitement. 

"You  will  have  till  to-morrow  morning," 


I 

ft 


THE  READING  OF  THE  DOCUMENT. 


25 


said  Mr.  Mortimei,  "to  decide  whether  you 
will  accept  or  not." 

"Of  course  we'll  accept,  sir!"  cried  Julian, 
enthusiastically. 

"What!  Can  it  be  you  are  a  mammon- 
worshiper  already.  Master  Julian?"  asked  the 
grandfather,  with  that  peculiar  intonation  in 
his  voice  which  always  brought  a  contraction 
to  the  smooth  brow  of  Julian's  mother. 

"Oh,  it  will  be  such  splendid  fun,  sir!" 
Julian  answered. 

The  old  gentleman  elevated  his  eye-brows. 

"It  is  the  chance  of  a  lifetime,"  broke  in 
John  Jacob,  excitedly,  "to  get  rich  in  an 
instant!" 

His  voice  rang  through  the  room,  clear  and 
metallic,  with  a  vibrant  eagerness  in  it  strange 
in  one  so  young. 

"You,  John  Jacob,  are  oblivious  to  the  fun, 
I  perceive,"  said  the  grandfather.  "What  are 
.</o«r  views,  Sedgwick?" 

"Oh,  I  say,  sir,"  replied  the  oldest  of  the 
]\Iortimers,  "no  one  in  his  senses  would  give 
up  such  a  chance.  And,  then,  the  adven- 
tures!" 

"You  seem  '  >  unite  the  practical  and  the 
romantic.  How  about  Walter  Worthington?" 


26    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

**I  only  wish  I  were  bigger  and  stronger, — 
that's  all!"  cried  the  pale  boy.  "But,  anyway, 
I'll  try  even  if  it  kills  me." 

"It  has  killed  some  before  now,"  warned 

the  grandfather.     "But  youth  must  take  its 

own  wild  way,  I  suppose.  However,  you  have 

till  to-morrow  morning  to  think  it  over.     If 

after  the  night's  reflection  you  are  still  of  the 

same  mind,  you  will  be  enrolled  in  the  band 

of  fortune-seekers,  and  will  very  shortly  begin 

your  hunt  for  the  hidden  room  and  the  lost 

jewel,  as  they  are  somewhat  incorrectly  called. 

I  should  be  inclined  to  reverse  the  title  and 

speak  of  the  lost  room  and  the  hidden  jewel 

— if,  indeed,  either  one  or  the  other  exists." 

I    The  coldly  doubting  cynicism  with  which 

he  spoke  of  the  possible  non-existence  of  the 

room  and  the  treasure,  had  no  effect  on  the 

sanguine   spirits  of  the   boys.      They   were 

presently  out  upon  the  lawn,  talking  at  the 

top  of    their  voices,    arguing,    speculating; 

already  examining  the  fagade  of  the  mansion 

for  traces  of  the  hidden  room;  and  prepared, 

had  the  word  been  given,  to  enter  upon  any 

ordeal   or  inaugurate  in  any  way  whatever 

that  wonderful  series  of  adventures. 

"Of  course  if  I  ^et  it,"  said  Julian,  "I'll 
divide  with  the  rest  of  you." 


ill 


THE  READING  OF  THE  DOCUMENT. 


27 


"No,  no,"  answered  John  Jacob,  who  had 
convinced  himself  that  he,  and  he  alone, 
must  find  the  jewel,  "there's  to  be  no  di- 
vision."   > 

"Find  the  ruby  first,  and  then  we'll  see 
about  the  rest,"  observed  Sedgwick,  dryly. 

"I  know  I  won't  get  it,"  said  Walter,  des- 
pondingly;  "but  I  mean  to  try." 

"Cheer  up,  sonny!"  urged  goodnatured 
Sedgwick.  "You'll  gain  nothing  by  being 
downhearted." 

"Even  if  none  of  us  find  anything,"  put  in 
Julian,  "we'll  have  lots  of  fun." 

"And  cor  ;  in  for  some  hard  knocks,  curly 
pate,"  said  Sedgwick,  who  commended  the 
lad's  spirit  in  taking  an  easy  and  cheerful 
view  of  the  situation. 

"Who  cares!"  cried  Julian.  "But  I  wish 
it  were  to-morrow.     It  seems  a  week  off." 

"And  so  we  all  began,"  commented  the 
grandfather.  He  was  leaning  against  the 
library  window,  which  commanded  a  view  of 
the  lawn.  Beside  him  stood  his  daughter-in- 
law,  who  had  come  to  ask  him  what  it  all 
meant,  and  if  her  son  were  to  be  permitted  to 
tell  her  of  his  share  in  the  famous  Mortimer 
secret.     He  reassured  her  upon  this  point. 


28    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"I  shall  certainly  advise  Julian  to  give  you 
every  detail." 

"He  is  sure  to  tell  me,"  the  mother 
answered,  "unless  he  were  forbidden  to  do  so. 
He  has  never  concealed  a  thought  from  me 
in  his  life." 

The  old  gentleman  regarded  her  with  his 
inscrutable  smile. 

"He  is  unlike  his  father,"  he  observed. 

"The  very  opposite  in  every  way,"  agreed 
Mrs.  Mortimer.  "His  father  often,  with  a 
view  to  spare  me,  withheld  confidences, 
which  it  would  have  been  better  had  he 
given  me  " 

"Are  you  in  favor  of  your  boy  undertaking 
this  quest?" 

"That  I  can  answer  better  when  I  know 
more.  Of  course  I  have  the  general  know- 
ledge that  in  each  generation  there  is  some 
test  or  ordeal,  which  the  oldest  son  in  the 
various  branches  undertakes;  but  further  than 
that  I  know  little." 

"It  has  been  a  sad  business  altogether," 
declared  the  grandfather.  "Some,  as  you 
know,  went  down  to  the  grave  sadly  dis- 
appointed, ever  yearning  for  that  unattained 
treasure.    Others,  again,  wandered  away  into 


THE  READING  OF  THE  DOCUMENT.   29 

the  by-paths  of  life,  embittered  and  discon- 
tented; while  others  did  as  I  have  done,  and 
I  suppose  were  not  much  the  worse  for  it. 
After  an  attempt  to  fulfil  a  few  of  the  con- 
ditions, I  dropped  out  of  the  contest,  and 
simply  put  the  matter  '>ut  of  my  mind. 
Never  has  any  one  succeeded,  and  for  my 
part  I  do  not  believe  that  success  is  possible, 
for  the  simple  reason  that  the  prizes  offered 
do  not  exist  at  all,  in  my  opinion." 

"As  far  as  I  am  concerned,  I  would  rather 
he  had  nothing  to  do  with  it,"  said  Mrs. 
Mortimer.  "I  would  keep  him  far,  far  in- 
deed, from  all  danger.  But  it  might  not  be 
the  best  thing  for  the  boy.  Effort  is  a  great 
thing;  endurance — " 

Here  she  was  interrupted  by  the  voice  of 
Julian  crying: 

♦'Mother,  mother,  where  are  you?" 

Excusing  herself  to  Mr.  Mortimer,  the 
mother  hurried  to  where  Julian  stood  waiting, 
breathless. 

*'I  have  been  upstairs  and  downstairs  look- 
ing for  you,"  he  said.  "I  want  to  tell  you 
all  about  everything.  It's  the  queerest  story 
you  ever  heard.  There's  a  lot  of  money  and 
a  jewel  shut  up  in  a  hidden  room,  and  we'll 
have  all  sorts  of  adventures  looking  for  them . ' ' 


I 


s 

t.' 


30   THE  LOST  JEWFX  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"Let  US  go  up  to  our  rooms,  dear,"  replied 
his  mother  in  her  cahr.  way;  "and  then  you 
can  tell  me  quietly  without  jumbling  your 
words." 

"All  right,  mother!"  agreed  Julian,  and 
together  they  mounted  the  broad  stairs,  past 
the  tall  clock  which  ticked  away  the  hours  so 
solemnly.  "I  wish  it  would  go  faster!"  Julian 
exclaimed,  staring  at  the  timepiece  as  he 
passed.  "I  want  it  to  be  to-morrow,  till  we 
get  enrolled  and  begin  the  adventures." 

"You  will  begin  soon  enough,"  sighed  Mrs. 
Mortimer. 

"It  will  be  such  splendid  fun!"  cried  Julian. 
"All  the  other  fellows  are  wild  about  it  too. 
I'm  going  to  get  up  at  dawn." 

"You're  very  brave  oversight,"  smiled  his 
mother. 

Just  as  they  entered  their  apartments, 
Julian,  carrjing  out  a  train  of  thought  in  his 
own  mind,  observed: 

"John  Jacob  cares  most  about  the  jewel  and 
the  money,  but  I  guess  all  the  others  want 
the  adventures  even  more." 

Mrs.  Mortimer's  face  contracted  as,  with 
sudden  pain,  she  thought  of  another  besides 
John  Jacob  to  whom  those  mysterious  prizes 


THE  REAniNO  OF  TIIK  DOCIMKNT.         31 

had  become  as  an  absorbing  dream,  haunting 
him  day  and  night. 

"Of  course  it  would  be  aW  right  to  get  the 
money;  wouldn't  it,  mother?"  Julian  in- 
quired. 

His  mother  regarded  him  with  a  new 
anxiety.  What  if  avarice  should  seize  upon 
that  noble  soul  to  blight  and  wither  it?  But 
no:  the  face,  open,  sunny,  fearless,  reassured 
her.  She  drew  a  chair  to  the  hearth,  and 
motioned  Julian  to  come  near  her. 

"Money,  dear  boy,  is  a  great  power  for 
good  and  can  never  be  despised.  But,  O  my 
son,  the  passion  for  it  has  wrought  more  harm 
than  all  else  in  this  weary  world!" 

"I  don't  care  much  for  it  myself,"  said 
careless  Julian, — "as  long  as  a  fe'low  has 
enough  to  eat  and  some  clothes  to  wvar.  But 
you  can  do  a  lot  of  things  with  it,  I  suppose. 
O  mother,  I  wish  it  were  to-morrow!  And  I 
do  wonder  what  adventure  we  shall  have 
first?" 

Julian  threw  himself  down  upon  the  rug  as 
he  spoke,  and  rested  his  curly  head  against 
his  mother's  knee;  and  there  were  a  few 
moments  of  deep  silence,  during  which  the 
boom  of  the  sea  was  heard  beating  fiercely 
against  the  rocks. 


3a    TIIK  LOST  JI-WKL  OF  TIIK  MORTIMERS. 

Presently  the  mother's  voice  broke  the  still- 
ness of  the  room; 

"Well,  now,  Julian,  tell  me  all  about  it." 


Chapter  IL. 

Julian  Tells  His  Mother. 

••First,  mother,"  began  the  boy,  ''there's 
some  old  man— I  think  he's  old,  anyway— 
and  he  said  he  was  an  exile  from  his  countr}- 
for  the   Faith.      Now,   that's  fine,  mother. 
I'd  rather  like  to  be  an  exile  fcr  my  religion. 
But  he  left  a  jewel— a  great,  big  ruby— and  a 
lot  of  money  to  any  fellow  that  can  find  the 
stone.  For  it's  lost  in  a  hidden  room,  and—" 
"Did  you  say  any  fellow?" 
"Oh,  any  of  us— the  oldest  boy  in  each 
branch  of  the  Mortimers!    And  we've  all  got 
to  look  for  it— Sedgwick,  Jake,  Wat  and  I. 
Won't  it  be  fun?    There's  to  be  lots  of  ad- 
ventures, and  the  old  chap  wants  us  to  do  all 
kinds  of  things  that  are  hard  and  pretty  dan- 
gerous." 

Mrs.  Mortimer's  face  paled  and  she  sat  very 
still  and  rigid,  her  eyes  fixed  upon  the  fire; 
while  Julian,  who  had  knelt  up  beside  her  in 
his  excitement,  watched  her  with  glowing 
cheeks  and  eager  gaze. 


34    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"Did  he  say  what  his  reason  was  for  mak- 
ing all  these  conditions?"  she  asked  presently. 

*'Oh,  yes!  He  said  he  wanted  his  descen- 
dants to  have  truth  and  honor  and  fortitude 
and  a  lot  of  other  things;  and  he  thought 
having  to  work  so  hard  for  the  jewel  and  the 
money  would  be  good  for  us." 

"Ah!"  said  Mrs.  Mortimer.  "That  puts  it 
in  a  new  light.  I  thought  it  was,  perhaps, 
some  evil  genius  who  had  resolved  to  put  a 
curse  upon  his  descendants," 

"Jake  says  he's  a  bloke,  but  I  think  he's 
fine,  mother.  I  liked  his  letter  ever  so 
much." 

"Since  his  intentions  are  good,  it  alters 
things,"  said  Mrs.  Mortimer.  "And  it  seems 
to  me  that  the  descendants  themselves  have 
only  to  keep  in  the  right  path  to  succeed,  by 
the  blessing  of  God.     But  they'll  need  that." 

"Yes.  Father  Wallace  at  the  college  used 
to  say:  'Get  God's  blessing  on  what  you're 
going  to  do,  and  then  go  ahead'." 

"Yes,  that  is  the  true  spirit.  And  I  would 
wish  you  to  go  into  this  contest  as  St.  George 
went  to  conquer  the  dragon.  We  love  to  read 
of  glorious  ones  like  him.  Think  of  his  splen- 
did courage,  and  how  he  went,  lance  in  rest, 
straight  for  that  horrible  foe." 


JULIAN  TELLS  HIS  MOTHER. 


35 


The  mother,  pausing,  cast  a  loving  look  at 
the  bright,  brave  face  before  her,  and  the 
chestnut  curls  glistening  in  the  dancing  fire- 
light. 

"But",  she  continued,  "there  are  other 
heroes  —  many  of  them  —  who  have  never 
mounted  a  steed  nor  ridden  over  any  plain 
nor  worn  shining  armor  nor  carried  burnished 
spear;  and  it  is  the  very  qualities  they  pos- 
sessed that  your  ancestor  wishes  you  to 
acquire." 

Mrs.  Mortimer  was  excited,  carried  out  of 
herself  by  this  new  crisis  in  her  son's  life. 
Supposing  the  jewel  and  the  fortune  to  be 
real — and,  despite  her  father-in-law's  coldly 
doubting  words,  she  believed  in  them, — suc-'^ 
cess  in  the  quest  would  open  out  a  noble_ 
prospect  for  her  Julian.  And  while  her 
mother's  heart  qiiaik^  at  thought  of  the 
dangers  through  v/hich  her  darling  would 
have  to  pass,  she  reflected  that  nothing  worth 
liaving  wn.s  ever  obtained  without  effort,  and 
that  danger  was  everywhere  around.  The 
adventures  would  be  a  tonic  and  a  stimulant 
to  future  effort.  If,  in  the  eagerness  of  the 
moment,  she  remembered  the  boy's  father, 
who  had  wrecked  hiviifa  on  what  he  lived  to 


v^ 


I 
r 


36    THE  LOST  JKWb:L  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

call  a  fool's  quest,  it  w^s  to  console  herself 
with  the  assurance  that  Julian  was  of  another 
mould,  and,  moreover,  completely  under  her 
influence. 

"If  you  go  into  this  contest,  then,  Julian, 
it  must  be  with  a  noble  motive.  The  merely 
commercial  spirit  by  which  you  tell  me  John 
Jacob  is  possessed  will  never  carry  you  through 
such  an  undertaking,  nor  will  your  own  mere 
love  of  fun  be  any  better.  By  catching  the 
spirit  of  your  ancestor  and  striving  to  carry 
out  his  wishes,  you  will  gain  much  even  if 
you  fail." 

The  boy's  face  grew  earnest  as  he  listened. 
Under  all  his  careless  gayety  of  manner  he 
was  full  of  fine  feeling,  and  whatever  was 
high  and  noble  always  appealed  to  him. 

"You  must  be  like  the  knights  of  old,  my 
dear.     I  have  often  read  to  you  about  them." 

"Yes,  they  were  splendid  fellows.  I  guess, 
mother,  it  would  be  pretty  hard  for  us  boys 
to  be  like  them." 

"Not  so  hard  as  you  think.  You  have  only 
to  try.  Think  it  well  over  before  you  give 
your  answer  to-morrow,  and  try  to  feel  as  the 
knights  used  to  fee]  .wheu  they  were  entering 
the  Order  of  Chivalij»  4*hen  if  you  choose 
to  accept  the  conditions— r' ' . . . 


i 


JULIAN  TELLS  HIS  MOTHER. 


37 


"Of  course  I'll  accept,  mother!" 

"To  be  sure  you  will,  rash  boy!"  laughed 

his  mother.     "But  try,  at  least,  to  look  upon 

the  affair  as  something  more  than  a  frolic." 
After  that  there  was  silence.     The  mother 

did    not    believe    in    too   much    preaching. 

When  she  spoke  again,  it  was  to  inquire  of 

Julian  : 

"Which  of  your  new  companions  do  you 
like  best?" 

"Well,  let  me  see!  Sedgwick  has  the  best 
muscle:  we  were  trying  out  there,  and  he's  a 
good  fellow.  Little  Wat  hasn't  much  muscle, 
but  I  like  him  even  if  he  is  a  bit  girlie  and 
always  wishing  to  be  big  and  strong." 

"What  about  John  Jacob?"  asked  the 
mother. 

Julian  hesitated.  Something  in  the  last- 
named  boy  jarred  upon  Julian's  perfect  honesty 
and  openness  of  character. 

"Jake's  all  right,  I  guess,"  he  answered, 
doubtfully.  "But— well,  he  laughs  at  fellows, 
and  he  likes  to  be  very  smart,  and  he  says  he 
knows  more  than  his  father  by  a  heap.  He's 
cocksure  of  finding  the  jewel,  because  he'll 
play  some  tricks  and  get  out  of  adventures 
that  are  too  hard.     I  told  him  I  didn't  think 


38    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


ill 
1  i 


that  was  quite  .straight,  and  he  snatched  off 
my  cap  and  ran  away  with  it,  calling  me 
•Julia!'  " 

Now,  this  was  an  offence  which  Julian 
could  ill  brook — but  he  suddenly  remembered 
that  he  was  telling  tales. 

"I  didn't  mean  to  talk  about  it.  Of  course 
he  was  only  in  fun.  But  I  was  just  trying  to 
describe  what  he's  like." 

"He  is  very  like  one  who  will  overreach 
himself  with  his  cunning,"  said  Mrs.  Mor- 
timer. "But  all  yon  have  to  do  is  to  go 
straight  yourself,  and  not  heed  what  others 
do." 

"That's  so,"  agreed  Julian.  "Every  fellow's 
got  to  stand  on  his  own  feet.  And  I  told 
Jake  he'd  better  let  my  cajj  alone  in  future, 
and  myself  too,  or  I'd  make  him." 

His  mother  was  amused  at  the  boy's  pug- 
nacity. 

"Keep  y^ur  energies  for  the  quest,"  she 
said  smilingly.  Then,  as  she  regarded  Julian's 
handsome  face,  her  mother-love  awoke  and 
with  it  a  very  passion  of  fear.  "O  my  dar- 
ling," she  cried,  "what  if  this  quest  should 
take  you  from  me,  or  blight  your  beautiful 
life?" 


JULIAN  TELLS  HIS  MOTHER. 


39 


She  seized  him  iu  her  arms  and  held  him 
close  pressed  to  her,  great  lad  as  he  was;  and 
he  returned  her  embrace  with  his  boyish 
bpar's  hug. 

"Dearest  little  mother,"  he  cried,  "'nothing 
will  ever  take  me  away  from  you;  and  I'll 
always  love  you  anyhow,  and  do  what  you 
want!" 

The  firelight  shut  in  mother  and  son  as  in 
a  charmed  circle,  ruddy  and  burnished.  The 
sea  boomed  outside  at  the  foot  of  Pine  Bluff, 
and  on  the  stairs  the  great  clock  tolled  mid- 
night. 

"Hurrah!"  exclaimed  Julian.  "It's  to- 
morrow ! ' ' 

"Dear  me,  yes;  and  here  you've  never  been 
to  bed!  Hurry  off  at  once;  aaid,  O  my  boy, 
my  boy,  whatever  happens,  be  true  to  your- 
self and  to  God!" 

"I  will!"  answered  the  lad  solemnly, 
standing  still  a  moment,  the  ruddy  firelight 
glowing  upon  his  face,  his  head  thrown  back 
and  his  mouth  smiling. 

"My  brave  young  knight,  I  believe  you 
will,"  said  the  mother.  "And  now  to  sleep, 
darling!     And  try  not  to  dream  of  dangers." 

"Perhaps  I'll  dream  where  the  ruby  is," 


40    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

said  Julian,  as  he  vanished  through  the  door. 
"I  read  a  story  like  that  once." 

He  was  gone,  and  the  mother  heard  his 
feet  pacing  up  and  down  in  the  adjoining 
room,  while  his  mind  was  full  of  dreams  and 
hopes,  and  of  that  wonderful  morning  which 
seemed  so  far  away.  His  head  was  scarcely 
on  the  pillow,  though,  when  he  fell  asleep, 
and  never  dreamed  at  all,  but  woke  to  see  the 
sun  shining  in,  a  broad  ribbon  across  the 
floor,  and  heard  the  shrill  voice  of  John  Jacob 
already  upon  the  lawn.  Julian  was  out  of  bed 
in  a  moment,  and  hurried  through  his  toilet, 
rushing  down  at  last  with  bounding  step  and 
beating  heart,  the  very  picture  of  a  healthy, 
happy  boy. 

•'Halloo,  Jake!"  he  cried  from  the  door, 
putting  his  hand  trumpet-wise  to  his  mouth 
to  give  a  lusty  shout. 

"Halloo!"  answered  Jake,  who  was  busy 
poking  amongst  the  weeds  on  the  Bluff,  as  if 
he  had  begun  the  search  on  his  own  account. 
"I  thought  you  were  to  be  up  at  dawn." 

•'I  never  woke,"  laughed  Julian;  "and  of 
course  mother  didn't  call  me.  How  did  you 
get  up  so  early?" 

"I  couldn't  sleep,"  Jake  answered,  shortly. 


h 


JULIAN  TELLS  HIS  MOTHER. 


41 


"And  it  isn't  so  very  early.    It's  near  eight." 

"Near  eight?     Where  are  the  others?" 

"Snoozing,  I  suppose,  as  you  were,"  said 
Jake.  "I  gue.'S  I'll  beat  you  all  easy  enough, 
if  you  go  on  at  that  pace." 

"Don't  crow  too  loud!"  exclaimed  Sedg- 
wick's i)Ieasant  voice  from  the  brushwood. 
"I  was  up  a  good  sight  before  you,  Jakey." 

Jake,  .somewhat  taken  aback,  growled  out 
an  inarticulate  word  or  two,  and  went  at  the 
weeds  with  greater  energy  than  ever. 

"Looking  for  an  underground  cave?"  in- 
quired Sedgwick. 

"No,  I'm  not!"  retorted  Jake, — getting  very 
red,  however.  "I'm  trying  to  pass  the  time 
till  breakfast's  ready." 

"I've  a  bit  of  an  appetite  myself,"  said 
Sedgwick.  "I've  been  down  to  the  shore. 
I  could  eat  yoii^  curly  pate,  boots  and  all." 

"Try  on  Wat!"  laughed  Julian,  as  Walter 
appeared,  looking  paler  and  more  sallow  than 
ever. 

"He's  not  such  a  tempting  morsel  as  you 
are,"  answered  Sedgwick. 

"Don't  try  to  be  too  funny,"  put  in  Jake. 
"But  I  .say  there's  the  gong!" 

"Goody!"  cried  Julian,  beginning  to  run. 


i  ,i 


42    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

while  the  silvery  notes  of  tiie  summons  to 
breakfast  still  floated  out  over  the  lawn.  *  'I'm 
starving  too." 

So  in  they  all  trooped  to  a  substantial  break- 
fast; their  grandfather,  who  sat  stately  at  the 
head  of  the  table,  sayinp  not  a  word  of  the 
events  of  the  day  before  nor  of  the  days  to 
come;  but  helping  everyone  to  cold  ham  or 
bacon  and  egg,  to  radishes,  toast  or  tea,  as  if 
such  momentous  questions  as  the  search  for 
a  fortune  had  never  been  under  consideration. 
He  joked  with  each  boy  in  turn  after  his 
peculiar  fashion;  and  it  was  only  when  he 
stood  up  from  table  that  he  requested  all  to 
be  in  attendance  in  the  library  half  an  hour 
later. 

"As  if  we've  thought  of  anything  else!" 
whispered  Jake. 

'Except  breakfast!"  added  Sedgwick. 

'Half  an  hour  seems  a  good  while  to  wait," 
observed  julian.  "Let's  do  something  to  pass 
the  time.     Let's  play  tag." 

Now,  this  proposal  seemed  rather  beneath 
the  elder  boys'  dig.iity;  but  presently  they 
relaxed  and  went  at  it  hard  and  fast,  their 
voices  borne  upward  nito  the  tall  trees,  and 
downward  to  mingle  with  the  hoarse  voice  of 
the  waves. 


((' 


t»i 


1 


JULIAN  TELLS  HIS  MOTHER. 


43 


A  few  moments  before  the  time  appointed 
Mrs.  Mortimer  called  Julian  to  her  and  bade 
him  kneel  for  that  space  in  the  solitude  of  his 
room,  to  ask  for  the  blessing  he  desired,  and 
to  resolve  that  he  would  be  brave  and  strong 
and  full  of  endurance.  So  that  he  entered 
the  library  with  a  feeling  different  from  any 
of  the  rest — assured  that  he  had  put  the  mat- 
ter on  a  solid  basis  and  was  relying  on  a 
strength  greater  than  his  own. 

The  library  looked  much  less  sombre  than 
on  the  preceding  day.  A  long  window  open- 
ing to  the  floor  let  in  floods  of  sunshine,  which 
lay  on  the  green  carpet  as  though  on  a  sward. 
The  books  seemed  to  wear  a  bright  and 
friendly  aspect,  and  even  the  grandfather  was 
smiling  cheerily.  He  sat  back  in  his  chair 
and  greeted  each  boy  with  a  nod  and  a  laugh- 
ing word.  But  it  was  not  in  the  library  that 
the  final  agreement  was  to  be  made,  or  the 
conditions  to  be  laid  down  for  the  contest. 
So  presently  Mr.  Mortimer,  arising,  said: 

"I  will  now  lead  the  way  to  the  west  wing, 
that  you  may  enter  the  competition  and  be 
enrolled  in  the  adventurous  band  of  fortune- 
seekers  in  the  presence  of  Anselm  Benedict 
himself." 


V 


t-. 


44    THK  LOST  JEWKL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

The  boys  were  startled  at  the  idea  of  being 
admitted  into  the  presence  of  a  man  dead  for 
about  two  hundred  years.  But  they  made  no 
sign,  and  obediently  followed  their  stately 
relative  through  long  corridors,  hitherto  un- 
visited,  toward  the  west  wing,  a  part  of  the 
house  which  was  never  used. 

At  last  the  grandfather  turned  abruptly  into 
what  he  called  the  west  wing  and  paused 
before  an  oaken  door,  curiously  carved  in 
many  a  quaint  device.  The  old  man's  voice 
trembled  as  he  threw  wide  the  heavy  portal 
and  motioned  across  the  threshold. 

"Now,  lads,  who  enters  here  has  entered 
upon  the  quest." 

With  one  accord  the  boys  followed  him 
into  the  room. 


Chapter  IV. 
Ansklm   Bknedict. 

The  boys,  having  crossed  the  threshold, 
found  theniselve;;  in  a  spacious  chamber, 
wainscoted  and  h.ng  with  gorgeous  tapestry. 
Its  furniture  was  of  most  ancient  fashion. 
The  chairs,  stra'jht  and  high-backed,  had 
carved  legs,  representing  the  claws  of  ani- 
mals. There  was  no  carpet  upon  the  floor, 
which  was  of  highly  polished  oak.  In  the 
center  of  the  room  stood  a  massive  table,  so 
heavy  and  substantial  that  it  might  have  been 
made  from  some  monarch  of  the  forest;  it  was 
piled  with  all  manner  of  curious  objects.  The 
windows  were  stained  and  mullioned.  Ovei 
the  whole  place  hung  an  indescribable  air  of 
mysteiy — the  enchantment  of  the  past.  It 
was  precisely  like  a  page  out  of  Scott,  while 
some  romance  of  the  Middle  Ages  seemed  to 
lurk  in  every  one  of  its  corners. 

The  grandfather  stood  still  a  moment,  look- 
ing round  him;  then  he  said: 

(45) 


! 


i 


f^ 


46    THK  LOST  JKWF.T,  OK  TJIK  MOilTIMKRS. 

"I  am  now  about  to  ititrodtjcc  you  to  An- 
selni  Benedict  himself." 

Advancing  to  the  very  end  of  the  room,  he 
touched  a  spring  in  one  of  the  tapestried  pan- 
els. Instantly  a  door  flew  open,  displaying 
an  alcove  richly  liung  with  tapestry  of  velours, 
and  displaying  a  figure  which  caused  every 
boy  to  start.  So  cleverly  was  the  portrait  ar- 
ranged that  it  seemed  as  if  the  personage 
represented  were  really  alive  and  might  at 
any  instant  begin  to  speak. 

Julian's  first  startled  feeling  gave  place  to 
one  of  profound  astonishment. 

"Why,  I  thought  he  was  old,"  he  ex- 
claimed, involuntarily;  "and  instead  he's 
young  and  handsome!" 

The  boyish  voice  sounded  oddly  out  of 
place  in  that  apartment,  heavy  with  the  shad- 
ows of  the  past,  and  it  gave  Julian  himself 
a  creepy  feeling. 

Handsome  that  mysterious  ancestor  un- 
doubtedly was;  straight  and  tall  as  an  arrow; 
with  a  sensitive  face,  full  of  fire  and  passion; 
eyes  whose  strange  depths  thrilled  even  the 
least  impressionable  of  the  boys ;  curling 
locks  falling  loose  over  the  shoulders;  and  a 
mouth  that  expressed  courage  and  tenderness. 


:  k 


ANSKLM  nnNF.DKT 


47 


as  well  as  scorn  for  what  was  mean  or  base  or 
cowardly. 

"He's  just  splendid!"  said  Jnlian. 

John  Jacob  was  busy  appraising  the  severe- 
ly plain  but  rich  habiliments,  the  fall  of  costly 
lace  at  neck  and  wrists;  while  Sedgwick  was 
most  occupied  with  the  sword,  so  richly 
jewelled  at  the  hilt. 

Walter  whispered  to  Julian: 

•'He  has  awful  eyes!  They  scare  nie  like 
v>    "'thing!" 

.  mtime  the  grandfather  stood  regarding 
the  portrait  with  a  cynical  smile,  as  if  he  were 
an  enchanter  who  had  brought  this  splendid 
figure  from  out  the  past,  and  was  scornful  of 
hih  own  power.  After  a  moment  or  two  of 
silence,  Mr.  Mortimc.  began  to  address  his 
ancestor  as  follows: 

"So,  Anselm  Benedict,  your  face  is  once 
more  uncovered  to  the  light,  pnd  a  new  gen- 
eration—shall I  say  *of  vjur  victims'?— are 
arrayed  before  you.  These  like  the  others, 
are  full  of  mad  daring,  e^ger  to  fulfil  your 
commands  and  certain  of  success.  You  best 
know  if  success  is  possible." 

It  seemed  as  if  the  proud  dark  eyes  of  the 
pictured  youth  answered  the  old  man's  taunts 


^  .:'.tf.'iK 


48    THE  LOST  JEVVKL  OF  THE  MORTn.ERS. 


« 


with  defiance,  whereas  in  the  voice  of  the 
living  man  there  was  a  deep  bitterness  against 
the  dead. 

"Yes,  there  you  are,  after  two  hundred 
years  or  more;  and  your  influence  is  still 
ui^on  us.  There,  you  are  about  to  enroll  in 
your  service  these  four  young  lives.  What 
will  you  make  of  them,  Anselm  Benedict  ? 
What  has  your  mad  whim  made  of  your 
descendants?" 

The  speaker  seemed  to  have  forgotten  for 
the  moment  the  presence  of  his  four  young 
listeners,  who  looked  from  him  to  the  portrait 
with  interest  and  curiosity. 

"I  shall,  however,  do  my  part,  since  you 
have  imposed  upon  each  occupant  of  this 
mansion  the  duty  of  seeing  yonr  commands 
enforced  and  your  wishes  made  known  to  all 
who  seek  to  enter  upon  the  competition." 

Having  thus  addressed  the  portrait,  he 
turned  to  the  boys. 

"To-night  you  will  fulfil  the  first  con- 
dition. Each  one  of  you  in  turn  must  spend 
an  uour  after  midnight  here,  alone,  with 
Anselm  Benedict.  Face  to  face  with  him, 
you  shall  look  into  the  very  depths  of  your 
own  nature,  and  discover  if  you  have  thr* 


i 


■M 


ANSELM  BENEDICT. 


49 


qualities  necessary  for  success  in  tins  quest, 
and  if  you  are  determined  to  pursue  it." 

Now,  this  was  not  precisely  the  sort  of  ad- 
venture upon  which  any  of  the  boys  had 
counted,  and  not  one  amongst  them  relished 
it.  Walter  Worthington  grew  pale  to  the 
very  lips.  Sedgwick  shifted  uneasily  from 
one  foot  to  another  and  thrust  his  hands  deep 
into  his  pockets.  John  Jacob  looked  per- 
turbed and  a  frown  darkened  his  hatchet  face; 
while  Julian  revived  his  own  courage  by 
promising  himself  to  get  his  mother  to  say 
her  beads  for  him.  His  sagacious  mind  began 
to  reflect: 

"He  was  a  good  man,  this  Anselm  Bene- 
dict, or  he  wouldn't  have  been  exiled  for  the 
Faith;  and  he  wants  us  to  be  good,  because 
he  said  so  in  his  letter.  So  he  won't  do  us 
any  harm.  Besides,  courage  is  one  of  the 
things  that  he  thinks  his  descendants  should 
have." 

Meantime  the  grandfather  was  watcaig 
the  boys,  and  smiling  with  deep  and  some- 
what contemptuous  amusement.  He  saw, 
after  all  their  eagerness  to  begin  and  their 
defiance  of  difficulties  and  dangers,  how  little 
this  first  test  was  to  their  liking. 


50    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"The  service  of  this  Anselm  Benedict  is 
not  precisely  a  summer  frolic,  my  lads,"  he 
observed;  "and  you  will  have  to  obey  his 
commands  very  exactly  indeed,  or  give  up  all 
chance  of  finding  the  ruby  and  the  fortune. 
Therefore.  Sedgwick,  as  soon  as  the  clock  in 
the  hall  tolls  midnight,  you  will  be  brought 
to  this  place  by  a  messenger,  and  here  remain 
till  one  o'clock      At  that  hour  John  Jacob 
will  take  your  place.     At  two  it  will  be  the 
turn  of  Walter  Worthington;  and  last  of  all 
Master  Julian  will  be  led  here  by  one  specially 
appointed  for  the  task." 

A  thrill  ran  through  his  auditors  as  each 
one  was  cited  thus  to  appear  in  the  silence 
and  ghostliness  of  night.  It  was  like  a  sum- 
mons to  a  secret  tribui-M,  where  the  thoughts 
and  feelings  of  each  one  should  be  made 
manifest. 

"Am  I  right,  Anselm  Benedict?"  inquired 

the  grandfather. 

And  it  seemed  as  if  t  .king  eyes  of 

the  portrait  made  answer. 

"Yes." 

"Now,  go  out,  all  of  you,  down  to  the 
shore,"  said  the  grandfather.  "Keep  your 
nerves  steady  for  to-night.    You,  Julian,  need 


ANSELM  BENEDICT. 


51 


not  be  anxious  about  your  mother,  as  I  shall 
take  her  out  to  drive  with  me.  And  you  will 
be  notified  in  due  time  to  assemble  here  to 
learn  the  second  test." 

He  waved  his  hand  in  dismissal,  and  they 
all  trooped  off,  rather  a  silent  and  preoccupied 
band  of  boys  at  first.  It  seemed  as  if  the 
shadow  of  that  fatal  competition  had  already 
shut  them  in.  However,  they  rallied  a  good 
deal  when  they  reached  the  shore.  The  salt 
air  brought  color  to  their  cheeks  and  a  sparkle 
to  their  eyes,  as  they  grouped  themselves 
upon  a  huge  rock,  looking  out  seaward  and 
discussing  the  situation.  John  Jacob  had 
very  little  to  say.  He  was  busy  revolving  in 
his  own  mind  if  it  would  be  possible  to  shirk 
this  ordeal,  which  he  particularly  dreaded, 
and  to  cover  up  the  deception  successfully. 

Julian  was  the  first  to  recover  his  cheerful- 
ness. He  began  to  roll  about  in  the  sand, 
to  gather  pebbles  and  send  them  splashing 
out  to  scare  the  sea  gulls;  then  he  took  off 
his  shoes  and  stockings,  so  that  he  might 
walk  close  to  the  water  and  let  the  incoming 
waves  roll  over  his  feet.  After  a  while  Sedg- 
wick joined  him,  and  the  pair  had  a  royal 
time,  racing  over  the  sand,  dabbling  in  the 


r 


t!   i- 


52    THE  LOST  JKWKL  OF  THK  MORTIMERS. 

water,  and  indulging  in  impromptu  wrestling 
matches.  John  Jacob  meanwhile  lay  back 
upon  the  sand,  staring  up  at  the  sky,  full  of 
his  own  plans;  and  Walter  wandered  dispir- 
itedly up  and  down,  kicking  at  the  sand  with 

his  toe.* 

"Halloo  you  fellows!"  cried  Sedgwick. 
"If  you  knock  under  at  the  very  first  blow, 
you'd  better  chuck  the  whole  busines-." 

"The  letter  told  us  at  once  we'd  have  to 
be  brave,"  added  Julian.  "Of  course  we 
didn't  exactly  think  of  that  kind  of  bravery, 
but  I  guess  we'll  get  through  somehow,  and 
it's  no  use  worrying  beforehand.  The  next 
thing  we  have  to  do  m£.y  be  easier." 

"Confound  him  for  an  old  bloke!"  cried 
John  Jacob.  "What  does  he  want  to  keep  us 
up  all  night  for?" 

"I'm  afraid  Til  never  get  through  the 
hour,"  lamented  Walter. 

"Well,  you  sec,  fellows,  it's  got  to  be 
done,"  remarked  practical  Sedgwick,  "or  you 
may  as  well  bid  good-bye  to  the  stone  and  the 
fortune." 

"I'll  never  do  that,"  said  John  Jacob, 
springing  up  and  pacing  restlessly  about, — 
"not  if  I  die  for  it." 


II 


ANSELM  BENEDICT. 


53 


"So  say  we  all!"  chimed  in  Julian,  taking 
off  his  cap  and  waving  it  in  the  air.  "Hurrah 
for  the  jewel  and  the  hidden  room!" 

A  strange  and  startling  thing  followed;  for 
his  wo/ds  seemed  to  be  repeated  clearly  and 
distinctly  from  within  the  solid  rock  beside 
which  the  boys  were  gathered.  They  all 
turned  and  stared  as  if  the  rough  granite 
would  reveal  the  secret.  But  no:  it  stood 
stern  and  gray  in  its  mighty  strength,  jutting 
away  out  into  the  water,  where  the  waves 
churned  themselves  into  white  froth  around 
its  base. 

"I  guess  it's  an  echo  of  some  sort,"  sug- 
gested Sedgwick.  "But  it  sounded  mighty 
queer." 

"Mighty  queer,  indeed!"  muttered  John 
Jacob.  "I  don't  half  like  how  things  go 
around  this  place." 

There  were  tears  of  positive  alarm  in  Wal- 
ter's eyes.  He  could  not  trust  his  voice  to 
speak. 

"Of  course  it  was  an  echo!"  cried  Julian, 
rallying  his  courage.  "Hurrah,  I  say,  for 
Anselm  Benedict  and  the  lost  jewel  of  the 
Mortimers!" 

Again  the  words  came  back  clearly   and 


54    THE  LObl  JKtVEI.  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

distinctly,  though  with  a  hollow  and  sepul- 
chral sound. 

"Well!  I  won't  try  it  again,"  said  Julian. 
"We've  had  enough  of  that.  I  vote  that  we 
go  back  to  the  house." 

The  vote  was  carried.  Bright  as  was  the 
sunshine,  wholesome  and  pure  the  air,  the 
boys  seemed  to  have  lost  their  taste  for  the 
shore;  and  they  went  back  to  the  house,  sit- 
ting upon  the  veranda,  very  gravely  and 
quietly  for  them,  discussing  the  one  absorbing 
topic  of  the  night-watch. 

"I  wonder  what  we'll  think  of  it  to-morrow 
morning'"  said  Julian.  "It's  bound  to  be 
ghostly  and  all  that.  But  it's  rather  thrilling, 
the  sort  of  thing  the  hero  does  in  tales  of  ad- 
venture; and  he  always  comes  out  all  right." 
"If  we  could  go  all  together!"  put  in 
Walter. 

"It  wouldn't  be  much  of  a  test  it  we  could 
do  that,  sonny!"  Sedgwick  exclaimed,  some- 
what contemptuously 

John  Jacob  was  silently  pondering  in  his 
own  mind  on  the  possibility  of  slipping 
through  the  servant's  hands  and  not  going 
into  the  room  at  all. 

"What  do  servants  care  about  tests?"  he 


ANSELM  BENEDICT. 


55 


thought.  ♦'!  can  slip  down  again  at  two 
o'clock,  and  when  he  unlocks  the  door  get  in 
behind  him." 

John  Jacob  was  so  elated  with  this  plan 
that  he  quite  recovered  his  good  humor,  and 
chuckled  to  himself  till  Julian  asked: 
"Halloo,  Jake,  what's  the  joke?" 
"I'm  laughing  at  the  idea  of  us  fellows 
being  in  such  a  pickle  about  nothing.    What 
IS  it  to  stay  in  an  empty  room  for  an  hour!" 
Julian's  opinion  of  his  cousin's  courage  rose 
considerably.      Je  was  quite  impressed  by  his 
boldness,  and  frankly  said  so.    But  Sedgwick 
remarked,  rather  dryly: 

"I  hope  you're  laughing  hardest  at  your- 
self; for  you  were  the  most  scared  of  all  when 
you  heard  what  we  had  to  do,  and  when  that 
echo  came  out  of  the  rock." 

"I  wasn't  either,"  contradicted  Jake.  "Wat 
was  scared  nearly  out  of  his  wits." 

"We  were  all  pretty  badly  frightened  this 
afternoon,"  said  Julian.  "I  feel  creepy  about 
it  yet  and  about  to-night.  You  must  have  a 
lot  of  pluck,  Jake." 

•'I  have  a  level  head,"  said  that  worthy, 
enigmatically;  "and  I  guess  we'd  better  try 
to  put  the  whole  business  out  of  our  minds 
till  the  time  comes." 


56    Tine  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  JfORTLMERS. 


This  l^eing  good  advice,  all  four  tried  hard 
to  follow  it  and  to  forget  the  evil  hour  which 
awaited  them. 

Mr.  Mortimer  and  his  daughter-in-law  had 
been  absent  all  day,  having  driven  over  to  a 
neighboring  villa.  ?.  It  was  quite  dark  when 
they  returned,  a.  d  Julian's  mother  went 
straight  to  her  ro 

When  nine  o'clock  came,  the  grandfather 
despatched  the  boys  to  bed.  Julian,  going 
upstairs,  found  his  mother  very  pale,  with 
traces  of  tears  on  her  face,  and  dressed  for 
out  of  doors. 

"What  is  the  matter,  mother  dearest? 
Wliere  are  you  going  in  the  dark?" 

"Julian,  dear  lad,  I  have  to  leave  you. 
Your  grandfather  declares  that  my  continued 
presence  here  would  give  you  an  advantage 
over  the  other  boys.  John  Jacob  has  no 
mother,  and  the  others  cannot  be  spared  from 
home.  I  think  he  is  right,  Julian.  You  must 
stand  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  rest." 

"I  will  go  with  you,  mother,  and  give  up 
the  whole  job.  What  do  I  care  for  rubies  or 
money ! ' ' 

"No,"  said  his  mother.  "Having  under- 
taken this  quest,  it  is  best  for  you  to  pursue 


ANSELM  BKNEDICT. 


57 


it  to  the  end,  if  possible.  You  must  not  begin 
life  with  a  failure." 

"If  only  you  could  stay!" 

"Since  I  can  not,  I  commit  you  to  the  care 
of  our  Mother  in  heaven;  and  I  leave  you 
prayer  as  your  best  weapon.  In  it  you  will 
find  strength  and  all  else  you  need." 

As  she  spoke  there  was  a  sound  of  wheels 
without. 

"The  carriage  come  forme!"  she  declared; 
and  the  mother  held  her  boy  in  a  close  em- 
brace, letting  her  tears  mingle  with  his. 

When  Julian  was  left  alone,  he  knelt  and 
prayed  with  all  the  fervor  of  his  boy's  heart. 
It  reminded  him  of  the  time  when  he  was 
planning  to  steal  away  to  be  a  martyr  in  China 
or  Japan,  and  of  the  struggle  it  cost  him  to 
thmk  of  leaving  his  mother.  She  had,  hap- 
pily, discovered  his  intentions,  and  advised 
him  to  wait  till  he  was  growii  up. 

He  got  into  bed,  very  lonely  and  miserable. 
But  he  soon  fell  asleep,  and  was  awakened  by 
the  clock  tolling  twelve.  He  remembered 
that  Sedgwick  was  just  then  being  led  into 
the  west  wing,  and  for  a  time  he  tossed  about 
excitedly.  Presently,  however,  he  dozed  off 
again;  and  was  aroused  this  time  by  the 
strangest  figure  he  had  ever  seen. 


Chapter  V. 


Thk  First  Tkst  and  its  Results. 

The  strange  figure  standing  beside  Jnlian's 
bed  when  he  awoke  was  that  of  a  tall  man, 
who  seemed  in  the  dim  light  to  be  quite 
gigantic.  His  face  was  pale  and  withered 
and  covered  with  a  close  network  of  wrinkles; 
his  hair  was  powdered  in  the  fashion  of  a 
bygone  age,  and  tied  in  a  queue  at  the  back; 
and  his  dress  was  a  costly  but  out-of-date 
livery,  with  knee-breeches  id  shoe-buckles. 
This  personage  stood  intently  regarding  the 
bov,  through  whose  mind  flashed  the  question: 

'Can  this  be  Anselm  Benedict  himself 
grown  old,  or  magically  preserved  these  two 
hundred  odd  years?" 

Presently  a  harsh,  metallic  voice,  which 
sounded  weird  and  unnatural  at  that  hour  of 
the  night,  broke  the  stillness. 

'•Arise:  your  time  has  come.  The  time- 
piece without  strikes  three." 

Julian  obeyed  as  in  a  dream,  the  old  man 
(58) 


THE  FIRST  TEST  AND  ITS  RESULTS.        59 

leaving  him  while  he  dressed;  and  as  they 
went  down  the  .road  staircase,  the  boy  caught 
a  brief  glimpse  of  a  wild:  haggard  face  star- 
ing out  at  him  from  a  doorway.  Julian 
shuddered. 

"If  Jake,  who  was  so  brave  in  the  after- 
noon, looked  like  that,  the  test  must  be 
awful." 

But  he  cl-isped  his  rosary  close  and  prayed 
to  our  Heavenly  Mother  to  help  him;  and,  so 
praying,   passed   through   the  dread   portal, 
being  firmly   impelled   across   the   threshold 
with  surprising  strength  of  arm  by  his  ancient 
guide.     He  found  himself  in  darkness,  save 
where  the  brigtt  rays  of  electric  light  shone 
full  upon  the  alcove  and  brought  out  with 
startling  effect  the  face  and  figure  of  his  an- 
cestor.    Surely  that  was  the  countenance  of 
a  living  man!     Those  eyes,  looking  into  his 
with  fire  and  tenderness,  belonged  to  a  real 
man;    that    half-scornful,    half-tender    smile 
al'^at  the  lips  would  broaden  into  a  laugh,  or 
harden  into  sternness.    Some  such  bewildered 
thoughts  were  passing  through  Julian's  miud, 
as  he  watched  willi  boyish  gaze,  startled,  yet 
full  of  eagerness. 

He  was  afraid  with  that  strange,  creepy, 


6o    THE  LOST  JKVVKL  OK  THE  MORI  IMKRS. 


shtKldcriujj  horror  waicli  llie  hour  and  p.  ice 
inspired.  But  he  t'icd  to  think  how  tiiose 
kii'ghts  of  old,  aboi  whom  his  mother  had 
so  often  read  to  '  ini,  uotil'l  '  ive  actid  undi 
siinihir  cMrcunuslances.  \'  N  ■  with  tn  '.  j  ,ii 
honor,  was  one  of  their  fii  ^t  (jti  litit  He 
realized  suddt .  . .  iiow  this  'tr.iv  anci  ioi 
himself  would  ivt  d^^spisod  a  co  ud.  H- 
brtathedhis  litie  pi,  er  for  coum  .  tli  w 
')ack  his  head  uid  marched  straight  id  to  tht 
portrait,  lookin<r  full  into  that  nol)i  fr  :. 
Th»  n  he  sat  d<>vvn,  of  his  own  accord,  that 
massive  i  iiair,  which  had  stood  where  as, 
as  tr;  dition  said,  for  nii  re  than  t'  o  hi  ted 
years;  wliile  its  great  ;i  is,  liL^-  cla  .  seeiut  d 
to  seize  ...A  hold  him. 

He  h  oked  quite  a  small  boy,  ht  )!cs-  i 
iiisignifv  mt,  in  his  twentieth-  ntn  vc  )Stu  ..e 
oi  jackei  and  knickerbof  %er  Bin  th  re  was 
a  fine  courage  about  him,  d  tlie  strength 
that  comes  from  a  u       -lb      oble  (iispc       )n 


A'liich  has  Ix   ncareii 

y  traine 

.,  .  '  vigiL 

Iv  watched  ov  r  by 

;OVli 

•d   •'!t^'lli,i    nt 

mother.     Little   Uy 

!o   1 

f       1 

him-   he  forgot  the 

or  i  of 

^    •  '.lei      .vest 

wiii^ ,  the  dark  i  ^ou 

with  it 

tli  c  ai''^ 

appomtmeuls  whi  h 

id  surviv 

.»any  geu- 

THE  1      ;ST  TliST  AND  ITS  RJvSI  LTS.        6r 


erations  of  "  rti'  v. .,  and  the  terrifying  still- 
n<  .s  of  the  night.  lie  became  conscious  of 
a  '■owin>>-  admiration  for  that  brave  gentle- 
liuiii  ]  >ing  on  0  canvas,  for  his  beauty  and 
inliiiess,  for  the  he-oic  things  he  had  done, 
and  for  his  cross!  ig  seas  an  exile  for  the 
.  aith.  "" 
uid  i< 


He  forgot 


•iiself  and  even  his  faults 
lies,  whic.        s  grandfather  had   iu- 
him  should    e  laid  bare  to  the  scare Ii- 
•  of  those  1  crcing  eyes.     He  felt  ;..s 
!  kno'vn  this  Auselm  Benedict,  and 
a  desir    grew  in  h  -;  mind  to  learn  more  o.  his 
ancesti  r's  lift    an.    character.     He  knev.-  he 

and  a  favorite  of  .some 
•n  Irivea  into  exile  and 
persecution;  hut  he  de- 
to  learn  his  history, 
usiasm  that  he,  too, 
elife;  and  l;e  fancied 
,  tured  lips  grew  more 
tender,  and  that  the  eyes  looked  into  his  with 
kindurss,  as  if  he  had  found  a  friend. 

So  quickly  passed  the  hour  that  he  was 
.'5  fonished  when  the  qunint  servit:  r  put  his 
Jiund  upon  his  shoulder  a;  d  toll  him  his 
time  wos  up.  Julian  sprang  to  his  feet,  cry- 
iug  out  in  quite  a  natural  and  friendlv  wn    : 


if  he 


had  been  a  soldie: 
king,  that  he  IkuI 
had  endured 
tennined,   if   ^ 
He  cried  out  in  i 
should  like  to  lead 
that  the  smile  on  t- 


62    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


"Oh,  isn't  he  splendid!  But  it  can't  be  an 
hour  yet!  It  seemed  so  short!  I  had  a  heap 
of  things  to  think  of !" 

The  man  stared  at  him  in  genuine  surprise, 
muttering  under  his  breath,  "A  miracle!"  as 
he  bent  his  head  before  the  portrait  with 
something  of  genuine  respect  and  affection, 
put  out  the  lights,  and  thrust  Julian  from  the 
room;  after  which  he  locked  the  door,  and  in 
silence  followed  him  through  the  winding 
corridors,  the  lantern  he  carried  casting  wav- 
vering  gleams  on  wall  and  ceiling.  He  con- 
ducted Julian  to  his  apartment,  and  the  boy 
said: 

"Good  night! — I  don't  know  your  name." 

"Nic'nolas",  said  the  guttural  voice. 

"Goodnight,  Nicholas!"  repeated  Julian. 

The  man,  in  reply,  straightened  himself — 
for  he  had  been  a  soldier  in  his  youth, — and 
for  the  first  time  in  his  career  of  service  with 
the  Mortimers  made  a  military  salute  to  one 
of  the  fortune-seekers. 

When  Nicholas  had  retired,  Julian's  first 
care  was  to  kneel  and  offer  a  fervent  act  of 
thanksgiving  to  the  Blessed  Virgin;  though 
indeed  he  scarcely  realized  that  the  first  ordeal 
was  over.      It  was  then  four  o'clock;  but, 


THE  FIRST  TEST  AND  ITS  RESULTS.        63 


despite  his  fatigue,  he  wished  it  were  time 
)e  astir,  tha 
"fellows"    and 


for  the  house 


t  he  might  meet 
hear    their    ex- 


the    other 
periences. 

**Jake  looked  pretty  well  scared,"  he 
thought.  "Something  different  must  have 
happened  to  him." 

Julian  nestled  comfortably  amongst  his 
pillows,  wishing  tliat  his  mother  were  there, 
so  that  he  could  tell  her  all  about  it. 

"There's  no  one  understands  a  fellow  as 
she  does,"  he  reflected;  "knows  just  what 
you  want  to  tell  her." 

When  at  last  Julian  woke  and  saw  the  sun, 
like  ail  old  familiar  friend,  looking  in  at  the 
windows,  he  hurried  downstairs,  where  he 
found  Sedgwick  upon  the  lawn.  The  latter 
looked  very  pale  and  tired,  but  he  h:;a  a  new 
something  of  manliness  and  '"gnity  about 
him  which  even  careless  Tuian  noted.  The 
two  stood  and  looked  at  eac  u  other. 

"Well,  curly  pate?"  began  Sedgwick. 

"Well,  old  fellow?"  responded  Julian. 

"It  was  a  hard  pull." 

"Net  nearly  so  hard  as  I  thought.  And  the 
time  passed  so  quickly!" 

Sedgwick  stared. 


6.|    THK  LOST  JKWKL  OK  THK  MORTIMF.RS. 


9 


"It  didn't  ac  very  quick  with  iiic,"  he 
said,  gloomily. 

"What  did  you  do  first?"  Julian  inquired. 

"Oh,  I  suppose  we  all  did  about  the  same! 
That  rum-looking;  old  chap  came  for  me — " 

"Nicholas",  put  in  Julian. 

"How  on  earth  did  you  learn  his  name?" 

"I  asked  him,"  Julian  replied,  simply. 

"Cricky,  but  you're  a  cool  one!  Anyway, 
old  Nick — if  that's  his  name— came  for  me  at 
twelve  sharp.  The  tolling  of  the  hall  clock 
sounded  like  the  Doomsday  trumpet,  or  some- 
thing or  other.  He  jMished  me  in;  the  room 
was  all  dark,  except  the  lights  round  the  pic- 
ture; then  he  locked  the  door." 

Julian  nodded.  "It  was  exactly  the  same 
for  me,"  he  assented. 

"I  never  was  in  such  a  pickle  iu  my  life," 
Sedgwick  avowed  frankly.  "I  felt  as  if  there 
were  a  thousand  spooks  hanging  about  the 
corners,  I  was  afraid  to  look  around,  and  I 
didn't  care  much  about  staring  into  Anselm's 
face.  After  a  bit,  though,  I  felt  as  if  I  must 
look;  so  I  stared  at  him  as  hard  as  I  could. 
Then  I  began  to  shiver  and  shake,  as  if  he 
was  searching  me  through  and  th-  'orh  and 
finding  out  everything  I   ever  c  Qreat 


THE  FIRST  TEST  AND  ITS  RESULTS,        65 

Scott,  but  he's  a  corker  for  turning  you  inside 
out  and  making  you  ashamed  of  yourself! 
I  quaked,  I  can  tell  you.  I  got  through  the 
hour  somehow,  and  you  bet  I  never  was  so 
glad  to  see  anyone  in  my  life  as  old  pigtail." 
John  Jacob  came  up  while  Sedgwick  was 
still  speaking,  and  a  more  haggard  and  mis- 
erable object  in  the  light  c  i  die  summer  mor- 
ning it  would  be  hard  to  imagine.  The  great 
drops  of  perspiration  stood  on  his  forehead, 
and  he  was  shivering  as  if  with  cold. 

"What  on  earth  is  the  master  with  you, 
Jake?"  asked  Sedgwick,  suddenly  catching 
sight  of  his  ashen  face  and  staring  eyes. 

"It  feels  like  ague,"  Jake  said,  with  a  laugh 
so  wild  and  forced  that  his  companions  were 
startled.  «'I  guess  there's  malaria  or  some- 
thing here,  and  if  this  goes  on  I'll  have  to  try 
change  of  air." 

"Look  here,  Jake,"  answered  Sedgwick  in 
his  downright  fashion,  "you're  in  a  blue  funk 
since  last  night.  Out  with  it,  man!  I  was 
myself.  Tell  us  what  happened.  You'l  feel 
all  thebetter  for  it." 

Thus  adjured,  Jake  began,— taking  care  to 
keep  back  certain  portions  of  the  revelation 
relative  to  his  little  scheme  of  yesterday. 


66  THK  i.osr  ji;\vi:t.  nv  thk  mortimkrs. 


"When  we  got  to  tliat  infernal  door  I  just 
turned  round  for  a  minute  to  look  baek,  and 
that  old  blackguard  in  livery — " 

•'What's  the  good  of  calling  names?"  pro- 
tested Julian. 

•'He  caught  me  by  the  back  of  the  neck 
and  gave  me  such  a  shove  into  the  room,  that 
I  very  nearly  landed  foremost  against  the 
table.  Then  he  planted  me  in  that  con- 
founded chair  and  went  out.  The  room 
danced  ronud  me.  I  was  scared, — I'll  admit 
that.  It  seemed  as  if  demons  or  something 
were  hopping  about,  and  grinning  faces  look- 
ing out  of  corners,  and  voices  chattering. 
The  place  is  haunted,  or  the  Old  Boy  himself 
is  there.  Airyhow,  I  wanted  to  get  out  of 
staring  at  that  old  bloke  upon  the  wall,  and 
I  thought  I'd  try  another  chair.  The  moment 
I  tried  to  get  up,  the  arms  stretched  out  and 
held  me  fast." 

While  he  spoke,  Jake's  terror  in  the  mem- 
ory of  that  moment  became  uncontrollable, 
:nid  he  had  to  wipe  the  beads  of  sweat  from 
his  forehead. 

"It  was  horrible!  I  thought  they  were  the 
arms  of  something  that  had  ruight  me." 

The  other  boys  uttered  horrified  exclama- 
tions. 


THE  FIRST  TEST  AND  ITS  RESULTS.        67 

"I  fomul  out  that  they  were  just  iron  clamps 
to  hold  a  fellow  if  he  tried  to  get  cut,"  went 
ou  Jake.     "And  I  heard  a  voice— it  was  the 
same  one  that  came  out  of  the  rock,  I'll  swear 
to  it— saying:  'Coward!  traitor!'   Just  because 
I  wanted  to  take  another  chair,  I  suppose. 
So  there  I  was  forced  to  stare  at  that  odious 
picture,  while  that  horrid  Anselm  seemed  to 
read  off  a  list  of  everj-thing  a  fellow  ever  did. 
He's  a  wizard,  that's  what  he  is;  and  I'm  not 
at  all  sure  that  he  hasn't  kept  himself  alive 
by  some  black  art." 

In  his  excitement  Jake  blurted  out  what 
he  would  at  another  time  have  carefully 
hidden. 

"I  was  nearly  wild  b>  cue  time  the  old 
monster  came  and  unfastened  the  arms 
chuckling  to  himself  like  a  fiend.  As  soon 
as  we  reached  the  hall  I  got  away  from  him 
and  never  stopped  running  till  I  got  into  my 
room.  Oh,  if  there  are  any  more  tests  like 
that,  I  guess  I'll  take  grandfather's  advice 
and  quit!" 

When  Julian  asked  for  Wat,  he  was  told 
that  he  was  not  yet  out  of  bed;  though  later 
in  the  day  he  heard  all  details.  Wat  frankly 
admitted  that  when  first  put  into  the  chair  he 


68    THE  LOST  JFAVKL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

must  have  been  unconscious,  for  he  remem- 
bered nothing.  After  he  woke  up  again,  he 
got  on  better  than  he  had  expected. 

All  the  boys  were  surprised  to  hear  Julian's 
account  of  his  own  night's  adventure. 

"I  was  so  busy  looking  at  Anselm  Benedict 
and  thinking  about  him,  that  the  dark  room 
didn't  bother  me  a  bit,"  explained  Julian. 
*'I  tried  to  remember  the  few  things  I  had 
heard  about  him  and  to  piece  them  together. 
I  didn't  find  the  time  long  at  all.  Nicholas 
was  good  enough  to  me.  He  came  up  to  my 
room  with  me  and  gave  me  a  salute  like 
that." 

As  Julian  raised  his  hand  to  his  forehead  to 
imitate  the  sign,  Jake  cast  a  sour,  envious 
look  at  his  cousin.  From  that  moment  he 
began  to  dislike  him. 

Sedgwick,  on  the  other  hand,  cried  out 
admiringly: 

♦'You're  a  brick,  Julian!  I  guess  you've  got 
more  grit  in  you  than  any  of  us." 

"Oh,  well — I  said  my  prayers  before  going 
down,  and  all  that,"  Julian  added,  lest  the 
others  might  suppose  he  was  boasting  of  his 
own  strength. 

Sedgwick  fidgeted  and  looked  uncomfort- 


THE  FIRST  TEST  AND  ITS  RESULTS.       69 

able.     He  had  forgotten  all  about  his  prayers 
in  the  excitement  of  the  ent. 

Jake  gave  a  wild  lau^  'I  guess  if  I  said 

prayers,  I'd  be  ashamed  to  lell  any  one,"  he 
sneered. 

'•Why  should  I  be  ashamed  of  saying  my 
prayers?"  Julian  asked,  in  all  simplicity. 

"Because  prayers  are  good  enough  for  girls, 
but  what  boys  say  them?" 

•'All  the  fellows  at  the  college  said  them 
every  day,"  Julian  declared  stoutly.  •'And 
some  of  the  squarest  fellows  there  used  to  go 
oftenest  to  the  chapel." 

••A  rum  lot  they  must  have  been,"  grum- 
bled Jake. 

••Prayers  helped  me  a  good  deal,  I  know," 
Julian  went  on,  addressing  Sedgwick.    "But 
anyway,  I'm  glad  that  test  is  over.     I  was 
horribly  afraid  when  old  Nicholas  came  to 
get  me — " 

••In  spite  of  your  prayers!"  interposed  Jake. 
••I  began  to  say  them  then,''  Julian  ex- 
plained. 

'•You  ought  to  have  been  a  girl,  Julian 
Mortimer!"  Jake  retorted. 

Julian's  face  flamed. 

"I  tell  you  what,  Jake,"  he  cried,  "if  you 
dare  to  say  such  things  to  me!" 


70    THK  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


I<  i 


I  f 


i     " 


"Don't  heed  him,  sonny!"  put  in  Sedg- 
wick. "You  were  the  best  man  of  the  lot 
last  night,  and  so  you  can  afford  to  let  Jake 
spout.  He's  pretty  well  bowled  out  this 
morning." 

"I  ought  to  Have  remembered  that,"  ad- 
mitted Julian,  "and  have  known  how  to  take 
a  joke." 

While  he  was  saying  so  breakfast  was  an- 
nounced, and  the  grandfather  received  them. 
His  keen  eye  noticed  that  Julian's  face  was  as 
brave  and  bright  as  ever,  and  his  appetite 
midisturbed.  He  also  observed  the  signs  of 
past  conflict  in  the  other  lads,  and  all  but 
laughed  outright  at  Jacob's  broken-down  ap- 
pearance. He  made  no  allusion  to  the  matter, 
however,  till  breakfast  was  over.  Then  he 
observed,  with  his  cynical  smile: 

"Of  the  four  little  Indians,  one  has  fallen 
down,  leaving  but  three.  I  hear,  however, 
that  Walter  Worthington  means  to  rise  up 
again.  This  afternoon,  if  he  be  sufficiently 
recovered,  I  will  announce  to  you  the  second 
test.  Meantime  go  out  and  play  footbail  or 
something  of  the  sort.  Outdoor  exercise, 
John  Jacob,  is  an  exc:))ent  tonic  for  ague.'' 

John  Jacob  flushed  s.  rlet  but  said  nothing, 


THIC  riRST  TEST  AKD  ITS  RESULTS.        71 

and  off  they  all  trooped.  But  they  liad  not 
the  energy  to  attempt  .so  strenuous  a  game  as 
football;  and  their  grandfather,  looking  out 
of  the  window  at  them,  .said  to  himself  : 

"The  poison  begins  to  work.  One  is 
knocked  under,  two  have  no  heart  for  play; 
and  the  other  has  escaped  marvellously  so  far,' 
but  he  is  depressed  by  his  comrades." 

Walter  Worth ington  presently  appeared, 
looking  very  pale,  with  great  circles  under 
his  eyes;  but  his  spirit  was  less  subdued  than 
Jake's.  He  was  determined  to  continue  the 
quest,  if,  as  he  said, -his  strength  only  held 
out. 

"I  wonder  what  the  ne.xt  test  will  be?" 
Julian  observed,  meditatively. 

And  the  boys  all  wondered  in  turn  and  tried 
to  guess,  but  it  was  of  no  use.  Not  an  idea 
suggested  itself,  and  they  could  only  wait  for 
the  afternoon,  when  their  grandfather  should 
make  known  to  them  the  second  test.  He 
did  not  keep  tham  long  in  suspense.  Immed- 
iately after  luncheon  he  summoned  all  four 
to  meet  him  in  the  library,  thence  to  proceed 
to  the  presence  of  /Vnselm  Benedict,  where  all 
tests  were  announced. 

"I  think,"  said  Mr.  Mortimer,  "that  w.is 


•-H 


j 


i^ 
iP 


f 


73    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

second  trial  will  commend  itself  mech  more 
to  you  than  the  last.  But  I  must  remind  you 
that  diligence,  activity,  endurance  will  all  be 
brought  into  play." 

Julian  regarded  his  grandfather  with  eager 
eyes,  which  began  to  sparkle  with  interest 
and  excitement;  while  even  the  haggard  Jake, 
the  weary  and  dispirited  Wat,  and  the  sobered 
and  saddened  Sedgwick  plucked  up  heart  a 
little.  Their  grandfather  regarded  them  with 
a  tantalizing  expression  out  of  half-shut  eyes. 
He  enjoyed  pla>  ing  with  their  curiosity  and 
delaying  the  answer  to  the  question  which 
hung  on  every  lip: 

"What  can  be  this  second  test?" 


Chapter  VI. 
A  Camp  in  the  Forest. 

Before  announcing  the  second  test,  the 
grandfath  jr  arose  from  his  chair  and  signed 
for  the  boys  to  follow  him.  All  of  them  ex- 
cept Julian  did  so  with  visible  trepidation; 
for  they  knew  that  he  was  leading  them  into 
the  presence  of  Anselm  Benedict.  Julian  felt 
an  eager  desire  to  see  once  again  that  portrait 
which  had  so  completely  fascinated  him,  and 
he  remarked  to  his  grandfather  as  they  passed 
along  the  corridor: 

•'I  feel  as  if  he  were  a  friend,  sir." 

"Eh!— what?"  inquired  the  old  man  in 
surprise,  and  he  stood  a  moment  and  looked 
down  at  the  eager  face.  "Whom  do  you 
mean  ?" 

"I  mean  Anselm  Benedict,  sir." 

**0h!"  exclaimed  Mr.  Mortimer. 

•♦Is  there  any  book  about  him  in  the  lib- 
rary?" Julian  asked. 

"There  is  a  book,"  answered  the  grand- 
father slowly. 

(7i) 


74    TIIK  LOST  JKWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

'  Aay  I  see  it,  sir?" 

"I  .stij)po.se  so.  No  one  has  ever  made  the 
request  Kfore.  The  midnight  hour  in  that 
gentleuiau's  society  was  generally  found  to  be 
sufficient."     He  ended  with  a  short  huigh. 

"There's  another  thing  I  wanted  to  ask 
you,  sir,"  said  Julinn,  as  the  long  corridor 
they  were  pursuing  turned  ii.to  the  west  wing. 
•'Where  does  Nicholas  keep  himself ?" 

The  grandfather  cast  upon  the  boy  so 
strange  a  glance  that  it  startled  even  the  fear- 
less Julian. 

"What  do  you  know  about  Nicholas,— how 
did  you  find  out  his  name?" 

"I  asked  him,"  Julian  answered  simply. 

"When?" 

"When  he  brought  me  back  to  r  v  room 
last  night." 

Mr.  Mortimer  stared.  "Well,  you  are  n 
wonderful  boy!"  he  exclaimed.  "Fen-,  ex- 
cept in  the  message  he  had  to  deliver,  have 
ever  heard  the  sound  of  his  voice." 

"He  told  me  his  name  was  Nicholas,  and 
then  he  did  this,"— and  Julian  imitated  the 
military  .salute. 

"He  did  that,  did  he?"  queried  the  grand- 
father, in  astonishment.     "Then,  let  me  tell 


A  CAMP  IN   1  flK  FOREST. 


75 


you,  he  saw  in  you,  my  >oy,  something  wiiich 
he  never  saw  in  any  of  your  race." 

They  were  now  at  the  mysterious  door. 

"Grandfather",  asked  Julian,  stopping  be- 
fore  it,  "who  is  Nicholas?" 

"He  is  the  evil  genius,  he  is  the  avenger," 
exclaimed  Mr.  Mortimer  in  a  strained,  hur- 
ried voice. 

Without  giving  time  for  any  further  ex- 
planation, he  opened  the  door  and  entered. 
Julian  followed  close;  the  other  boys  c-me  on 
slowly,  passing  over  the  threshold  with  re- 
hictant  steps,  and  remaining  in  that  portion 
of  the  room  farthest  fron^  the  portrait.  But 
Mr.  .\ioi'.;mer,  having  touched  the  spring  of 
th'^  panel  iiotioned  them  with  a  quick,  im- 
.  "ent  J,  ,cure  to  advance.  He  was  plainly 
V  ru   ted  and  in  a  nervous  mood. 

Svdgwick  looked  pa!e;  but  he  confronted 
iiie  portrait  brave'.,  v  i'?<  that  manliness 
which  Julian  had  beu  ;*=  admired.  Jake's  face 
was  positively  V  ugdog;  and  Wat's  lip  quiv- 
ered as,  white  <  he  lin-  and  with  trembling 
L  ids,  he  placed  himself  beside  his  cousins. 
But  Julian's  countenance  was  bright  and 
cheerful,  and  he  smiled  at  his  handsome  kins- 
man of  '  jng  ago,  who  seemed  to  flash  a  friend- 
ly greetir^;  f^^in  his  dark  eycb. 


t  f  ■-- 


Wf, 


76    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"I  shall  announce  your  second  decree,  An- 
selm  Benedict,"  Mr.  Mortimer  declared  curtly, 
"and  Nicholas  can  do  *he  rest.  Your  ancestor 
here  portrayed  before  you,"  the  old  man  went 
on,  addressing  the  boys,  "directs  that  you 
shall  go  forth  into  the  forest  which  lies  to  the 
right  hand  of  this  dw-lling,  extending  inward 
from  the  bluff,  and  there  encamp  for  a  period 
of  two  weeks.     During  this  time  you  shall 
perform  all  menial  offices  foi  yourselves,  pro- 
curing the  chief  part  of  your  own  food,  and 
main^aining  durin;?  the  day,  and  on  certain 
nights  when  the  aioonlight  shall  permit,  a 
search  for  the  cavern  in  the  forest,  undeterred 
by  whatsoever  obstacles  may  offer." 

Even  the  most  dejected  of  the  boys  began 
to  kindle  into  pc  .tive  enthusiasm.  Here,  at 
least,  was  a  test  af^er  their  own  hearts.  Why, 
it  would  be  capital  fun! 

•«If  during  that  period  of  two  weeks  no 
trace  of  the  cavern  is  found,  the  competitors 
are  free  to  abandon  this  test  and  continue  to 
pursue  the  search  in  other  ways,  or  they  may 
obtain  an  extension  of  the  original  time  and 
remain  longer  in  the  forest.  I  know  of  a 
person  who  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  in  that  way.     /  should  be  inclined  to  be- 


A  CAMP  IN  THE  FOREST. 


n 


lieve  that  the  cavern  is  a  fabulous  one,  so 
many  having  failed  in  the  search.  But  there 
is  a  tradition  from  way  back,  that  one  did 
find  that  cavern  and  thus  fulfilled  the  second 
test." 

*'Did  only  one  find  it  out  of  all  who  have 
ever  been  looking  for  it?"  asked  Julian,  awe- 
stricken. 

*'Only  one,"  answered  Mr.  Mortimer. 

And  Julian  looked  inquiringly  from  his 
grandfather  to  the  young  face  in  the  portrait, 
where  the  same  smile  seemed  to  greet  him, 
and  whence  a  feeling  of  hope  and  encourage- 
ment entered  his  heart. 

♦'If  out  has  found  it,"  said  the  boy,  with 
sudden  enthusiasm,  "another  may,  and  per- 
haps  it  will  be  some  cf  us." 

"Perhaps",  agreed  the  grandfather  coldly. 

••Anyway,  it  will  be  fine  fun  camping  in 
the  woods  and  looking  for  a  cave." 

♦'You  are  a  very  sanguine  young  person," 
said  Mr.  Mortimer.  "But  let  that  pass.  You 
will  aH  leave  for  the  camp  at  four  o'clock, 
and  return  two  weeks  hence,  victor  or  van- 
quished. It  will  be  to  ycur  interest  to  give 
as  much  time  as  possible  to  the  search  dur- 
ing the  day  and  on  ths  appointed  nights. 


78  THE  LOST  ji: \vi.;t,  oi-  tifk  Mortimers. 

Loiteiiiio  l)y  the  wayside  will  never  find  the 
cavern.  You  are  now  dismissed,  and  I  would 
advise  you  all  to  proceed  to  your  rooms 
-;nd  make  preparations  for  approaching  de- 
jiartnre." 

The  boys  could  hardly  control  themselves 
in  the  old  gentleman's  presence,  following 
him  in  silence  along  the  corridor;  and  he  had 
scarcely  disappeared  into  the  library  when 
they  broke  into  an  eager  buzz  of  talk,  each 
voice  rising  above  the  other.  Even  Jake  was 
jubilant  as  any  one.  He  believed  that  his 
own  peculiar  methods  of  action  and  his  ferret- 
like disposition  wouhl  avail  nntch  in  such  a 
search;  and  he  was  boy  enough  to  enjoy  the 
idea  of  a  two  weeks'  frolic  in  the  open  air. 

The  little  band  assembled  on  the  lawn  pre- 
cisely at  four  o'clock,  and  set  off  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  forest.  As  Julian  looked  back,  the 
great  mansion  of  Pine  Binff  seemed  to  .stare 
darkly  at  them.  But  a  ray  of  sunlight  fell 
across  the  vcianda,  stretching  down  upon  the 
kiwn;  and  a  bird  with  a  flute-like  note  flew 
joyously  up  into  the  blue.  Both  seemed  like 
fric  ndly  mess;iges  to  the  lads,  telling  them  of 
hope  and  gladness. 

The  forest,  as  they  approached  it,  looked 
somewhat  daik  and  forI)iddin<r 


A  CAMP  IN  THE  FORltST. 


79 


"It  is  like  the  forests  in  the  fairy-tales  i 
used  to  read  when  I  was  little,"  observed 
Julian;  and  there  on  the  outskirts  was  Nich- 
olas, precisely  Iikc  the  goblin  or  the  dwarf  or 
the  genius  who  used  to  lead  adventurous  mor- 
tals into  the  gloomy  depths.  He  was  stand- 
ing under  a  tree,  spectral  in  its  shadow;  and 
he  solemnly  came  forth  to  .  ..siet  them. 

••Good  day,  Nicholas,"  cried  Julian 
cheerily. 

The  ghost  of  a  grim  smile  crossed  the  old 
man's  lips  as  he  slightly  noddod  his  head, 
precisely  like  a  wooden  image,  and  marshalled  , 
the  boys  into  the  forest  before  him.  He  tra- 
versed each  leaf-strewn  path  with  quick,  mar- 
tial strides. 

Jtilian  promptly  began  to  sniff  the  odors  of 
the  woods, 

•'I  like  that  piny  smell,"  he  said  gleefully. 
•♦And  mixed  up  with  it  there's  sassafras  and 
wild  flowers  and  lots  of  things.  The  forest  is 
just  full  of  smells," 

Wat  darted  off  into  the  underbrush  after  a 
squirrel,  and  came  back  laughing  from  the 
chase,  with  a  faint  color  on  his  pink  cheeks. 
Sedgwick  cut  himself  a  fine  stout  cudgel  and 
decapitated  several   bushes.      Jake   plucked 


r 


80   THE  LOST  JKVVKr.  OP  THE  MORTIMERS. 

absently  at  the  leaves  as  lie  passed,  .niut  stuffed 
a  handful  of  slimy  ones,  picked  up  from  a 
marshy  pool,  down  Julian's  back.  Julian 
gave  a  wild  yell,  supposing  that  a  snake  had 
touched  him;  while  Jake  doubled  up  with 
malicious  laughter. 

At  last  they  reached  a  clearing  in  a  dense 
grove  of  ancient  trees;  and  here  stood,  with 
spectral  solemnity,  four  tents,  awaiting  their 
occupants.    Nicholas,  having  tlmist  each  boy 
into    that    lodging    designed    for  him,   dis- 
appeared as  silently  as  he  had  come.     There 
was  something  weird    about    these    canvas 
dwellings,  snow-white  in  the  summer  sun- 
shine, standing  out  in  relief  from  the  dark 
wood  and   background;   and  their  interiors 
seemed,  at  first,  unreal  and  mysterious.     A 
basket  of  eatables  stood  inside  each  entrance; 
some  clean  straw  was  thrown  into  a  corner, 
with  a  rug  folded  upon  it.    There  was  fishing 
tackle,  a  crab  net,  and  a  gun,  which  with  one 
accord  each  boy  set  himself  to  examine,  call- 
ing from  tent  to  tent  in  the  excitement  of  the 
discovery.    Wlieu  they  had  spent  a  short  time 
unpacking,  and  setting  their  new  houses  in 
order,  the  boys  came  forth,  fully  of  one  mind 
with  regard  to  supper.     Their  first  thought 


A  CAMP  IN  THK  FOREST. 


8z 


was  of  a  stream  and  how  they  should  procure 
water. 

*'I  suppose  the  old  lunatic  didn't  set  up  the 
tents  where  there  was  no  water,"  said  Jake, 
looking  all  about  him. 

♦'There's  water  down  there,"  replied  Sedg- 
wick, pointing  over  the  bluff  to  where  the 
dull  boom  of  the  sea  was  heard.  But  Jake 
took  no  notice  of  the  witticism,  and  all  began 
seriously  to  reflect  upon  the  means  of  getting 
water  for  present  and  future  wants. 

"We'd  better  explore,"  suggested  Julian. 
And  explore  they  did,  hurrying  off  in  dif- 
ferent directions.     Over  an  hour  had  elapsed 
and  Sedgwick,  Jake  and  Wat  had  returned, 
weary  and  disappointed,  to  the  camp. 

♦'It's  one  of  that  old  dotard's  tricks,"  said 
Jake,  in  bitter  spite;  and  the  others  thought 
so  too,  and  wondered  what  they  were  going 
to  do  about  it.  All  at  once  they  heard  a  faint 
shout,  which  grew  gradually  nearer;  and  soon 
Julian  appeared,  very  red  in  the  face  and 
dragging  a  heavy  pail. 

♦'That  fellow  always  succeeds,"  said  Sedg- 
wick.    ♦'!  believe  he'll  get  the  ruby." 

Which  remark  made  Jake  turn  almost  black 
with  envy.      He  set  his  teeth   hard,   while 


8a    **     .?  LOST  JEWFX  OP  THK  MORTIMERS. 


*,  '• 


S; 'gwick  and  Wat  rau  forward  to  help  their 
comrade. 

"Good  for  you,  youngster!"  cried  Sedgwick 
when  he  saw  the  pail  of  clear,  sparkling 
water.     "But  where's  the  stream?" 

"Oh,  it's  about  a  mile  away!"  laughed 
Julian.  "Nicholas  is  bound  to  give  us  plenty 
of  work;  and,  of  course,  grandfather  warned 
us  that  we'd  have  lots  to  do  while  we're  out 
camping." 

"Well,  we'll  have  to  take  turns  in  going 
for  the  water,— that's  all,"  observed  Sedg- 
wick, philosophically. 

Jake  muttered  darkly  to  himself;  and  Wat, 
as  usual,  deplored  his  want  of  strength. 

"If  you're  not  able  to  drag  water,  Wat," 
"I  can  take  your  turn  and  you  can  do  some- 
thing else  instead.  But  now  we  had  better 
get  wood  together  for  a  fire." 

All  hands  set  to  work  collecting  sticks,  and 
presently  there  was  a  huge,  roaring  fire,  built 
well  to  the  centre  of  the  clearing.  The  kettle, 
which  Nicholas  had  left  near  at  hand,  was 
filled  with  water.  It  soon  began  to  sing  away 
as  merrily  as  though  it  were  on  a  hearth  in- 
stead of  in  the  heart  of  a  wood  surrounded  by 
tall  trees,  through  which  the  yellow  glow  of 


I 

;  I 


A  CAMP  IN  THE  FOREST, 


83 


sunset  began  to  appear,  while  the  birds  in 
their  leafy  uests  sang  their  vesper  song. 

Each  boy  now  unpacked  his  basket. 

"I  say,"  exclaimed  Sedgwick,  ♦'here'ssome 
raw  potatoes!" 

•'Let's  put  them  in  the  hot  ashes,"  shouted 
the  other  three  in  chonis. 

This  was  no  sooner  said  than  done. 

"There  are  some  hard-boiled  eggs  here 
too,"  added  Sedgwick,  diving  again  into  his 
basket. 

'•I've  got  some  sandwiches  in  mine!"  yelled 
Julian.  "Hurrah!"  And  the  cheer  was  taken 
up  and  echoed  through  the  forest. 

"There's  some  jam  in  mine, — not  too 
much,"  declared  Jake,  who  had  already,  in 
the  secrecy  of  his  tent,  hidden  two  pots  for 
private  consumption.  (It  may  as  well  be 
mentioned  here  that  this  secret  hoard  was 
taken  from  the  hiding-place  and  restored  to 
the  basket  during  the  following  day,  much  to 
Jake's  dismay  and  disgust.) 

"There  are  some  fine  peaches  and  biscuits 
in  my  kit,"  said  Wat.  "But  I  guess  we'd 
better  not  use  everj'thing  to-night;  for  it's 
my  belief  we  won't  get  much  more  from  the 
house." 


t 


84    THE  LOST  JKWKL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

t  •'You're  right  there,"  assented  Jake. 

"It  won't  matter  very  much,"  said  careless 
Julian,  who  was  indeed  a  little  too  much  dis- 
posed to  neglect  all  thought  of  the  morrow. 
•'We  can  take  what  we  want  and  leave  the 
rest.     But  I  know  I'm  just  stafving." 

••Ditto!"  cried  Sedgwick. 

Julian  dived  into  his  basket  again  and 
brought  out  a  tablecloth,  and  in  a  few  mo- 
ments a  very  luxurious  meal  was  spread,  to 
which  was  added  a  pot  of  coffee  and  the  pota- 
toes plucked  from  the  hot  ashes.  That  was 
a  royal  supper,  and  everything  else  was  for- 
gotten but  the  enjoyment  of  the  uioment. 

•'He's  given  us  a  fine  spread  for  the  first 
night,"  remarked  Sedgwick;  "and  the  frag- 
ments may  do  for  to-morrow.  But  I  gue.s.s 
after  that  we'll  have  to  look  out  pretty  much 
for  ourselves." 

•Til  try  to  shoot  things,"  volunteered 
Julian. 

• '  I  might  pick  up  some  clams  on  the  beach , ' ' 
Wat  added. 

•'We  can  all  catch  fish,  of  course,"  Jake 
declared. 

•'And  there  must  be  a  place  to  go  crab- 
bing," SeJ.gwick  concluded,  ••or  he  wouldn't 
have  left  the  nets." 


A  CAMP  IN  THE  FOREST. 


8S 


"Hurrah  for  life  in  camp!"  shouted  Julian, 
getting  up  and  dancing  alx)Ut  in  pure  joyous- 
ness. 

Supper  being  finished,  the  boys  settled 
themselves  round  the  fire;  for  the  cool,  fresh 
air,  rcdoleut  at  once  of  forest  and  sea,  which 
sprang  up  with  the  going  down  of  the  sun, 
made  the  blaze  delightful.  And  as  the  stars 
came  out  cue  by  one  in  the  heavens  above, 
the  four,  banded  together  in  this  strange 
quest,  sat  around  the  fire  and  told  stories  of 
adventure  and  of  ro'jbers  and  of  ghosts;  as 
they  talked  in  lowered  tones  of  the  strange 
history  of  the  Mortimers,  and  the  mansion  at 
Pine  Bluff  with  its  niysteries  known  or  sus- 
pected. At  last  thev  began  to  feel  drowsy 
and  went  to  bed,  to  sleep  soundly  till  the 
morning  light  and  the  songs  of  the  birds  woke 
them  again. 

Julian  was  first  up,  and  could  hardly  re- 
member where  he  was  when  he  heard  the 
rustling  of  the  leaves  and  the  singing  of  the 
birds.  He  looked  about  at  the  white  walls  of 
the  tent,  and  sniffed  at  the  fragrant  branches 
with  which  he  had  overlaid  his  bundle  of 
straw.  Then  he  sprang  up,  drawing  deep 
breaths  of  the  air,  while  he  donned  his  gar- 


Ir 


H 


I 


86    TilK  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

meats  and  rushed  to  Sedgwick's  tent,  to  ask 
him  to  I  me  to  the  heach  for  a  pUiuge  into 
the  salt  waves.  It  was  quite  a  climb  down 
over  the  edj^e  of  the  bhiff,  but  the  two  active 
fellows  caicU  little  for  that.  They  were  soon 
swiniiniiit^  around,  diving  under  water  or 
splashing  up  and  down  like  a  pair  of  por- 
yy  poises.  Now  they  let  an  enormous  wave  seize 
them,  to  carry  them  into  shore;  again  they 
stood  where  great  breakers  broke,  to  be  thrown 
down  and  completely  swamped. 

But  even  such  delights  as  these  had  to  come 
to  an  end,  and  the  two  were  i 'esently  scram- 
bling up  the  bluff,  hallooing  and  shouting. 
Wat  had  lit  the  fire;  and  Jake  had  gone  off, 
unwillingly  enough,  for  water.  The  sand- 
wiches left  from  the  night  before  were  rather 
stale;  but,  then,  there  was  homemade  bread, 
with  fresh  butter.  The  coffee  warmed  over 
from  supper  was  not  free  from  the  charge  of 
muddincss;  but  the  hungry  boys  cared  little 
for  such  drawbacks  as  these,  particularly 
those  two  amongst  them  who  had  spent  a  half 
hour  ill  the  brine. 

•'It's  all  very  well  for  you  fellows  to  sneak 
off  l)y  yourselves  for  a  bath,"  grumbled  Jake, 
•'and  leave  me  to  go  and  get  water." 


A  CAMP  IN  THE  FOREST. 


87 


"Oh,  shut  up!"  retorted  Sedgwick.  '•You're 
a  born  grumbler.  Julian  went  for  it  last 
night  and  I'll  go  next  time.  As  for  the  bath, 
the  sea's  big  enough  for  everyone,  if  you 
hadn't  preferred  to  snooze." 

Jake  darted  an  evil  look  at  the  speaker, 
but  thought  it  better  to  be  silent.  After  a 
pause,  however,  he  announced: 

••I'm  going  fishing  after  breakfast." 

••Not  until  sunset,"  said  a  voice  near  at 
hand. 

The  boys  stared;  but,  look  around  as  they 
might,  they  could  see  nothing. 

•'That  cursed  voice  again!"  muttered  Jake. 

•'And  no  echo  this  time,"  observed  Sedg- 
wick, "because  it  didn't  repeat  the  same 
words." 

•'It  sounded  like  Nicholas'  voice,"  re- 
marked Julian,  thoughtfully. 

"As  if  any  one  ever  heard  that  old  dummy 
speak!"  sneered  Jake. 

"/  did,"  said  Julian,  "just  once." 

•'Oh,  I  suppose  we  all  heard  him  say  a 
word  or  two!"  snapped  Jake.  "Besides, 
where  is  Nicholas?  He  can't  make  himself 
invisible,  I  suppose," 

"I  don't  know,"  said  Julian  gravely. 


MICROCOPY   RESOIUTION   TEST   CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


Hi 

150 


2.8 
3.2 

1 40 


1.4 


2.5 
2.2 

2.0 
1.8 

1.6 


^  /IPPLIED  INA^UE     Inc 

5^  1653   EqsI   Main   Street 

r.i  Roctiester,   Neo   York        U609       USA 

^=  (716)   482  -  0300  -  Phone 

SB  (716)   288  -  5989  -  Fox 


II  «• 


f1^ 


88    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

^  He  remembered  the  strange  look  Mr.  Mor- 
timer had  bestowed  upon  him  when  he  had 
inquired  about  the  old  servitor.  It  occurred 
to  him  (for  boys  brought  up  as  Julian  had 
been,  often  have  a  strong  dash  of  poetry  in 
their  composition)  that  Nicholas  might  have 
some  kind  of  occult  power.  Of  course  he  did 
not  say  so,  for  he  had  a  boy's  horror  of 
ridicule. 

Sedgwick  was  meanwhile  looking  all  about. 

"There's  no  Nicholas  here,"  he  declared 
decidedly,  as  he  sat  down  upon  the  stump  of 
a  tree,  chewing  a  bit  of  Sassafras  root. 

*[I  hope  they're  not  going  to  begin  any 
antics  to  make  this  place  unendurable," 
growled  Jake,  who  was  a  coward  at  heart  and 
did  not  like  these  mysteries. 

Before   long    Nicholas    himself  appeared 
They  could  see  him  very  far  off  along  the 
path,  advancing  from  the  very  edge  of  the 
forest. 

"There!  You  see  he  wasn't  'round  here  at 
all!  cried  Jake;  and  Julian  did  not  contra- 
dict him. 

Nicholas  had  come  to  start  the  boys  upon 
the  search.     They  agreed  that  for  that  day 
at  least,  they  should  separate,  each  boy  tak- 
ing a  certain  portion  of  the  forest. 


A  CAMP  IN  THE  FOREST. 


89 


♦'It's  not  so  very  big,"  said  Sedgwick. 
"I  don't  see  how  it  can  be  so  hard  to  find  the 
cavern." 

•'Did  Nicholas  laugh?  No :  his  face  was 
imperturbably  grave,  as  he  stood  waiting  for 
the  boys  to  set  out. 

"In  what  direction  shall  we  go?"  asked 
Walter. 

'♦Suppose  we  do  like  the  boys  in  the  fairy- 
tales starting  to  seek  their  fortune?"  said 
Julian.  ''I^t  us  each  blow  a  piece  of  paper 
into  the  air,  and  whichever  way  it  comes  down 
follow  that." 

They  had  a  good  deal  of  fun  over  this  sug- 
gestion, because  sometimes  the  paper  did  not 
come  down  at  all,  or  two  or  three  fell  precise- 
ly at  the  same  spot.  At  last  each  piece  took 
a  contrary  direction,  and  the  boys  prepared  to 
start  accordingly.  Nicholas  had  brought  some 
crackers  and  cheese  from  the  house,  and  each 
boy  strapped  a  neat  package  of  this  to  his 
shoulder. 

And  now  the  explorers  lost  no  time  in  set- 
ting out,  providing  themselves  with  stout 
cudgels  and  plunging  into  the  respective 
wooded  paths  which  opened  before  them. 
Sedgwick  and  Jake  met  with  no  adventures 


i  i- 


i: 


M 


90    THE  LOS-  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

at  all,  though  they  prosecuted  the  search  with 
the  utmost  diligence.  It  might  almost  be 
said  that  Jake  literally  poked  his  nose  into 
every  crevice  and  cranny;  for  he  was  full  of 
the  ardor  of  the  hunt,  and  the  glow  of  the 
ruby  and  the  glint  of  gold  seemed  fairly  to 
dazzle  his  eyes.  If  Sedgwick  did  not  poke 
with  his  nose,  he  did  with  his  stick,  and  got 
a  lot  of  solid  enjoyment  out  of  his  morning  in 
the  woods;  so  that  his  honest  face  was  fairly 
aglow  with  good  humor  and  the  high  spirits 
engendered  by  the  glorious  air  and  the  forest 
life. 

Julian,  whose  path  had  led  into  the  heart 
of  the  wood,  likewise  prosecuted  the  search 
very  diligently.  He  even  rlimbed  to  the  top 
of  tall  trees,  which  was  surely  an  unnecessary 
performance,  as  it  would  have  been  rather 
difficult  to  discover  a  cavern  from  the  height 
of  a  tree.  But  it  was  a  rest  to  sit  up  among 
the  cool  branches,  swinging  idly  upon  a 
bough,  the  leaves  fanning  his  hot  face  as  they 
stirred  in  the  breeze.  It  was  up  there  that  he 
munched  his  crackers  and  cheese.  But  he 
did  not  linger  too  long.  The  thought  of  the 
cavern  spurred  him  on.  He  slid  down  again 
to  earth  and  pursued  his  way.      At  last  he 


A  CAMP  IN  THK  FOREST. 


91 


heard  Walter  calling;  and,  hastening  in  that 
dii action,  found  him  with  one  foot  stuck  in  a 
marshy  piece  of  ground.  He  had  to  pull  it 
out  with  some  trouble,  after  which  they  went 
on  together.  Julian  kept  wishing  for  his  gun, 
that  he  might  have  a  shot  at  some  of  the  rab- 
bits or  wild  pigeons  or  other  birds,  which 
would  have  given  them  a  fine  supper. 

**I  hope  we  shall  get  good  things  to  eat," 
said  Walter,  "because  I  want  to  keep  up  my 
strength." 

Julian  looked  at  him  curiously.     He  had 
never  heard  any  boy  talking  about  his  healt^ 
But  he  liked  Walter:  he  thought  him  a  square 
little  chap,  anxious  to  be  brave  and  to  do  his 
best. 

"It  must  be  a  bother  to  feel  weak,"  he 
said.  "I  have  always  been  as  strong  as  a 
horse,  except  when  I  had  measles." 

"I  wish  I  were  strong!"  sighed  Walter. 
"But,  I  say,  what's  that  over  there?" 


I 


Chapter  VII. 

The  Adventures  of  a  NicxHT. 

Julian  turned  hastily  in  the  direction  in- 
dicated by  Walter's  staring  eyes,  but  saw 
nothing. 

"I  could  almost  swear  I  saw  a  big  dog  or 
something  standing  over  there!"  whispered 
Walter,  tremblingly. 

"Perhaps  it  was  a  bear?"  suggested  Julian. 

Both  boys  stood  still  with  a  tl'rill  of  mingled 
fear  and  gratification. 

"If  I  had  my  gun  I'a  have  a  shot  at  it  from 
behind  a  tree,"  continued  Julian. 

"Better  not,"  said  Walter,  almost  under  his 
breath.  "It  might— it  might  be  something 
else.  Do  you  know,  Julian  (I  don't  mind 
saying  this  to  you,  for  you  won't  laugh  at  a 
fellow),  I  really  think  this  forest  is  haunted?" 
Julian  stared,  but  he  did  not  "pooh-pooh" 
the  assertion,  as  Sedgwick  would  have  done. 
He  remembered  his  own  thoughts  about 
Nicholas  and  the  queer  voice  they  had  heard 
more  than  once.  There  certainly  seemed  to 
be  something  mysterious  about  this  place. 

(92) 


THE  ADVENTURKS  OK  A  NIGHT. 


93 


•'I  don't  believe  in  spooks,"  lie  said  at  last. 

"J  don't  either,"    replied  Walter;    "but 

everything's  queer  about  here, — those  voices 

and  things.  And  I'mafraidof  that  Nicholas." 

•'Nicholas  isn't  a  bad  sort  of  fellow,"  ob- 
served Julian;  but  there  was  doubt  in  his  tone. 
Nicholas  certainly  was  mysterious. 

The  two  boys,  with  one  accord,  turned  away 
from  that  ill-starred  spot.  It  being  then  after 
five  by  Julian's  silver  watch,  of  which  he  was 
so  proud,  they  turned  homeward,  intent  on 
supper;  for  their  long  day  of  exercise  had 
made  them  hungry. 

Though  they  were  tired  when  they  reached 
camp,  Julian  declared  that  he  would  go  down 
to  the  shore,  as  it  was  low  water,  and  try  to 
get  some  fish.  He  took  his  line  and  started, 
Sedgwick  trMging  off  in  an  opposite  direction 
for  water,  and  Jake  and  Wat  undertaking  to 
look  after  the  fire. 

"I  hate  that  cub!"  said  Jake  spitefully, 
gazing  after  Julian's  retreating  figure. 

"What  cub?'»  asked  Wat,  innocently. 

"Why,  the  Grand  Pasha,  the  Czar  of  all 
the  Russians,  the  Grand  Mogul,  my  I^rd 
Juli-n  de  Mortimer!"  hissed  Jake. 

"Julian?"   inquired   Walter,   in   surprise. 


' 


94    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

'•Why,  what  is  there  to  hate  about  him? 
He's  always  jolly  and  ready  to  help.  But, 
theu,  he's  strong  and  well." 

"Yes:  he's  made  of  cast-iron,  nerves  and 
all,"  agreed  Jake.  ''And  I  tell  you,  \W, 
I  hate  the  whole  kit  and  boodle  of  them — 
man  Mortimer,  that  crazy  loon  of  a  Nichr  .^, 
Sedgwick;  but  most  of  all  I  hate  Julian  and 
his  'friend',  Anselm  Benedict." 

Walter  had  been  brought  up  at  home, 
away  from  other  boys;  he  had  never  heard 
just  that  sort  of  talk  before,  and  it  made  him 
uncomfortable.  Moreover,  both  boys  heard 
distinctly  a  laugh— scornful,  amused— pro- 
ceeding from  they  knew  not  where.  Walter 
started  to  his  feet  in  alarm,  and  Jake's  flow  of 
eloquence  was  suddenly  checked. 

"It's  some  trick  of  that  old  dotard!"  he 
muttered  to  himself. 

But  there  was  little  more  said  and  the  two 
lads  kept  pretty  close  together  till  Julian's 
cheerful  whistle  was  heard  coming  up  the 
cliff.  He  had  been  absent  a  comparatively 
short  time;  and  there  he  was  with  a  string  of 
silvery,  shining  fish,  quite  sufficient  for  the 
supper, 

"I  didn't  wait  for  any  more,"  he  observed 


ii 


THE  ADVKNTrRES  OF   A  MGHT. 


95 


apologetically,  "because  I  knew  we  wanted 
our  supper.     I  guess  we  can  do  with  these." 

They  then  set  to  work  to  light  their  fire,  so 
as  to  be  ready  on  the  return  of  Sedgwick,  who 
had  evidently  tarried  by  the  way. 

"Hurrah!  hurrah!  here  he  is!"  cried  Julian; 
and  Wat  waved  his  cap  wildly,  while  Jake  sat 
darkly  brooding. 

The  next  day  was  spent  somewhat  aimless- 
ly. A  night's  search  by  the  light  of  the 
moon  was  to  begin  after  sunset.  Their  sup- 
per was  very  early  and  consisted  of  a  brace  or 
two  of  wild  pigeons,  which  Sedgwick,  who 
was  an  excellent  shot,  had  succeeded  in  bring- 
ing down ;  and  of  some  red  plums  which 
Julian  had  discovered  growing  wild  some- 
The  boys  set  out  immediately  after, 
■'ifferent  directions,  but  agreeing  to 
^t  "moonrise"  and  enjoy  the  hunt 
r. 

Nothing  could  be  more  beautiful  than  those 
first  cool  sunset  hours,  with  the  rosy  lights  in 
the  western  sky  reddening  all  the  landscape. 
The  moon  was  rising,  a  silvery  arc,  above  the 
marsh  lands  where  they  had  agreed  to  meet, 
and  which  was  the  identical  spot  where  Julian 
and  Wat  had  seen,  or  fancied  they  saw,  some 


where. 

g    :: 

cogt.  ., 


96    THK  LOST  JIvWKI.  or  THK  MORTIMERS. 

Strange  animal.  Now  a  curious  awe  fell  upon 
the  boys;  they  stared  at  the  moon,  which  was 
just  showing  its  face  above  the  treelops. 
Julian  had  an  odd  feeling  that  it  looked  pale, 
and  that  its  light  upon  the  marsh  was  cold 
and  flickering,  making  weird,  uncertain 
shadows. 

"Not  a  blessed  sign  of  a  cavern!"  cried 
Sedgwick. 

"Ten  to  one,  grandfather's  tight  and  the 
horrid  old  bloke  is  fooling  us,"  growled  Jake. 

"Well,"  said  Julian,  "even  if  he  were,  it's 
worth  while,  if  all  the  tests  are  going  to  ])e 
like  this  two  weeks'  camping  in  the  woods." 

"Yes,"  agreed  Wat,  "I  feel  a  heap  better 
and  stronger  since  I've  been  out  here.  But 
where  are  we  going  now?" 

"Let  us  go  to  the  other  side  of  this  marsh," 
suggested  Sedgwick.  "None  of  us  have  gone 
that  far  yet." 

There  was  just  a  moment's  hesitation  on 
Julian's  part,  which  was  fully  shared  by  Wat; 
but  the  former  reminded  himself  that  courao^e 
was  amongst  the  qualities  in  which  Anselni 
Benedict  had  been  pre-eminent,  and  which  he 
desired  to  be  reproduced  in  them.  He  there- 
fore prepared  to  set  forth  with  a  cheery 
"all  right!" 


ih 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  NIGHT.  97 

Walter  visibly  hung  backward;  but  he  did 
not  care  to  voice  his  feelings,  and  he  did  not 
dare  to  stay  alone  anywhere  within  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  forest,  which  he  had  come  to 
regard  with  almost  superstitious  awe.  Jake 
was  quite  prepared  to  penetrate  anywhere  on 
the  remote  chance  of  finding  the  cavern, 
which  he  felt  convinced  was  the  first  clue  to 
the  other  and  more  important  objects.  More- 
over, like  Sedgwick,  he  was  unaware  of  any 
special  reason  for  avoiding  the  marsh. 

So  the  boys  were  presently  feeling  their 
way  gingerly,  so  as  not  to  get  their  feet  stuck 
in  the  mud.  They  stopped  abruptly,  how- 
ever, as  a  great,  striped  snake,  hissing,  thrust 
its  scaly  length  across  the  path.  Sedgwick 
at  once  aimed  a  blow  at  the  reptile  with  the 
heavy  stick  which  he  carried,  and  struck  it 
full  in  the  head.  John  Jacob  entered  into  the 
struggle  and  struck  furious  and  repeated  blows 
at  the  still  hissing  and  spitting  snake.  As  it 
at  last  lay  motionless,  Julian  looked  down 
upon  it  with  a  strong  feeling  of  repulsion  in- 
deed, but  at  the  same  time  with  an  odd  sort 
of  pity.  Foul  and  venomous  as  was  the 
creature,  it  had  been  going  its  own  way,  glid- 
ing about  in  the  d  rk  depths  of  the  forest. 


98    THK  LOST  JKWEL  OF  THK  MORTIMKRS. 

where  it  was  rarely  disturbed  by  human  feet. 

John  Jacob  continued  to  hammer  away,  to 
the  tune  of  *'Tally-heigh-ho,  the  grinder!" 

WTien  this  amusement  palled,  and  Sedgwick 
shouted  to  them  all  to  come  on,  Jake  raised 
the  dead  snake  on  the  point  of  a  stick  and 
carried  it  with  him,  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
playing  tricks  upon  Julian  whom  he  hated, 
and  Wat  whom  he  knew  to  be  nervous.  As 
they  passed  through  a  dark  clump  of  trees, 
into  the  blackness  of  which  the  moon  scarce 
sent  a  ray,  Jake  suddenly  brought  the  slimy 
skin  of  the  reptile  into  contact  with  Julian's 
cheek.  Julian,  forgetting  the  snake  and  be- 
lieving himself  attacked  by  some  unknown 
adversary,  promptly  struck  out  with  his  stick; 
so  that  Jake  received,  as  he  said  himself,  such 
a  "crack"  upon  his  head  as  kept  him  at  a 
safe  distance  from  Julian  for  the  remainder  of 
that  expedition. 

"I  didn't  know  it  was  you,  Jake,"  Julian 
explained. 

•'You  lie  there!"  cried  Jake,  luriously. 

The  hot  blood  mounted  to  Julian's  face,  and 
it  was  by  a  strong  effort  that  he  controlled 
himself.  He  made  a  short  ejaculation  to  our 
Blessed  Mother,  as  his  professor  had  taught 


THE  AD\  KNTrRES  OF   A  NIGHT. 


99 


liim  to  do;  and  tliought  of  Ansclin  Benedict, 
whowf  uldcertaijily  have  advised  the  mastery 
over  self,  and  have  taught  that  it  was  no  part 
of  courage  to  ruyh  into  every  vulgar  qmrrel. 
Then  he  said,  quietly: 

"Look  here,  Jake,  you're  out  there!  I  don't 
tell  lies,  and  I  say  again  that  I  didn't  know 
it  was  you.  But,  anyway,  what  right  had 
you  to  hit  me  with  that  .'isgusting  snake?" 

"Curly  pate  is  right  there!"  put  in  Sedg- 
wick.  "And  I'm  mighty  glad,  Jake,  he 
struck  out  as  he  did.  You'd  better  let  that 
youngster  alone,  or  you'll  get  the  worst  of  it." 

Now,  Jake  was  rather  afraid  of  Sedgwick, 
who  was  big  and  strong,  so  he  did  not  argxie 
the  point;  and  they  all  went  on  in  silence, 
till  suddenly  they  were  startled  by  a  rushing 
sound  in  the  brushwood.  Presently  a  huge 
beast  rushed  toward  them  with  flaming  eye; 
and  panting  jaws.  What  sort  of  animal  i; 
was  they  could  not  very  well  tell;  '  -  the  un 
certain  light  of  the  moon  gave  ii.v..£]y  the 
outline  of  its  form  and  the  gleam  of  its  fiery 
eyes. 

Jake  turned  deadly  pale  and  fled  without  a 
moment's  warning.  The  beast,  seeing  him 
detached   from  the   rest,   darted   forward  in 


lOO  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


'■♦■ 


li 


I' 


fi 


pursuit,  gaining  rapidly  upon  the  fugitive, 
lu  his  haste  and  fear,  Jake's  foot  caught  in 
the  tangled  undergrowth,  and  he  fell  heavily 
to  the  ground.  In  another  moment  the  iar^s 
of  the  beast  would  have  been  in  the  prostiace 
boy,  but  Julian,  hastily  making  the  Sign  of 
the  Cross,  flew  after  the  furious  animal  and 
brought  the  full  weight  of  the  stick  which  he 
carried  down  upon  its  flanks. 

The  monster  turned  upon  this  new  assail- 
ant, forsaking  Jake,  who  got  up  and  continued 
his  flight.  Julian,  thus  left  alone,  succeeded 
in  getting  behind  a  tree;  after  which  ensued 
a  conflict,  not  so  much  of  strength  as  of 
agility,  between  these  strange  adversaries. 
Sedgwick  tried  his  best  to  make  a  diversion 
in  the  rear,  harassing  the  flank  of  the  enemy; 
but  the  animal  seemed  unwilling  to  be  di- 
verted from  its  pursuit  of  Julian.  How  it 
might  have  ended  would  be  hard  to  say,  but 
Julian  had  an  inspiration. 

"Try  to  keep  his  attention  for  a  miniite," 
he  called  out  to  Sedgwick,  "till  I  light  a 
match." 

This  Sedgwick  did  by  dealing  a  tremendous 


blow   on  the  animal's  hide, 
turn  quickly  in  his  direction. 


which  made  it 
The  next  mo- 


I 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  NIGHT. 


lOI 


rnent  Julian  held  a  blazing  torch  of  news- 
papers in  either  hand,  and  these  he  resolutely 
thrust  into  the  animal's  face.  The  effect  was 
instantaneous.  The  angry  brute  stood  still 
a  second,  then  deliberately  turned  tail  and 
trotted  off  into  the  brushwood. 

"The  sooner  we  can  go  in  the  opposite 
direction  the  better,"  whispered  Sedgwick  to 
Julian,  who  stood,  panting  and  breathless, 
leaning  against  the  tree.  "He  may  return  to 
the  charge  at  any  time." 

So,  as  soon  as  Julian  could  draw  breath, 
the  two  lads  started  off  as  fast  as  their  legs 
could  carry  them.  Walter  Worthington  had 
long  before  followed  Jake;  and  they  encoun- 
tered him  at  a  good  distance  from  the  scene 
of  the  conflict,  with  actual  tears  in  his  eyes  at 
his  own  want  of  pluck.  He  quickly  apolo- 
gized for  it  on  the  usual  plea  of  feeble 
strength. 

"That's  all  right,  sonny,"  said  Sedgwick, 
good-naturedly.  "You  couldn't  have  done 
anything,  anyway;  and  we  can't  all  be  like 
Julian.  He's  as  brave  as  a  lion.  I  guess 
he'd  take  the  cake  with  Anselm  Benedict." 

He  looked  with  honest  admiration  at  his 
cousin,  while  Julian  cried: 


•  I 


r 


^ 


102  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"Don't  1J0U  talk,  Sedgwick!  You  stood 
by  me  and  helped  nie  like  a  hero.  Only  for 
you  I'm  sure  the  beast  would  have  had  me. 
And,"  Julian  added,  his  generous  heart  feel- 
ing sorry  for  Walter,  who  would  fain  have 
been  a  hero  also,  "I  don't  blame  you  at  all, 
Wat.  You're  not  strong,  and  you  couldn't 
have  done  a  thing." 

"The  one  I  blame  is  that  hound  of  a  Jake," 
said  Sedgwick,  wrathfully.  "Running  away 
and  leaving  you  in  the  lurch  after  you  had 
saved  his  life!" 

Jake,  who  was  lurking  near  by  and  had 
heard  this  conversation,  was  filled  with  greater 
rage  than  ever  against  Julian,  which  he  poured 
out  afterward  to  Wat,  who  told  him  in  return 
that  he  was  just  like  one  of  the  ungrateful 
dwarfs  in  the  fairy-tales. 

"If  there  are  any  more  of  these  beasts 
roaming  about  here,  we  shall  have  our  work 
cutout,"  reflected  Sedgwick,  gloomily.  "Even 
as  it  is,  we  may  meet  that  same  ugly  customer 
again." 

^-Julian  could  not  help  a  shudder.  He  re- 
membered those  fiery  eyes,  and  the  hot  breath 
which  had  all  but  touched  him.  Jake  was 
shaking,  and  shook  all  that  night,  with  au- 


Ef 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  NIGHT. 


103 


Other  of  those  attacks  resembling  ague.  Wat 
was  plainly  despondent,  and  Sedgwick  had 
lost  his  hopefulness. 

"I'm  afraid,  after  all,"  he  said,  as  the  four 
trudged  along,  pursuing  the  search  in  a  more 
or  less  perfunctory  manner,  "that  there's  no 
such  thing  as  a  cavern.  We're  just  being 
kept  here  two  weeks  to  try  our  mettle;  and 
unless  some  of  us  get  eaten  up  in  the  mean- 
time, we'll  all  go  back  to  the  mansion  at 
Pine  Bluff  like  a  parcel  of  whipped  hounds — 


queried    Jake    eagerly, 


say,  what's  that?" 

"What's  what?" 
sli.vering  all  over. 

Sedgwick  strained  his  eyes,  peering  into 
the  darkness;  and  everyone  stood  still — while 
suddenly  on  the  stillness  broke  a  long,  low, 
wailing  sound. 

"Great  Scott!"  exclaimed  Sedgwick.— 
"What  can  it  be?" 

Julian  breathed  a  prayer,  Wat  stopped  his 
ears,  and  Jake  said  in  a  stifled  voice: 

"I'll  leave  this  confounded  old  place  to- 
morrow.   It's  full  of  spooks  and  wild  beasts. ' ' 

There  >vas  silence  for  a  moment,  save  for 
the  booming  of  the  water  on  the  shore.  But 
as  the  listeners  waited,  the  sound  came  again 


i 


4i 


104  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

through  the  air,  rising  as  it  were  out  of  the 
ground  and  soaring  upward  to  the  treetops. 

"It's  like  the  Banshee  my  old  Irish  nurse 
used  to  tell  about,"  whispered  Julian,  as  the 
four  boys  looked  at  one  another  in  genuine 
fear  and  drew  closer  together.  At  last  Julian 
spoke  again:  "Fellows,  I  guess  we  had  better 
go  forward  to  meet  it,  whatever  it  is.  That's 
what  Ansclm  Benedict  would  have  done." 

Jake  broke  into  such  a  torrent  of  abuse 
against  the  dead-and-gone  ancestor  that  the 
other  boys  were  startled,  and  Julian  at  last 
protested. 

"Look  here,  Jake,"  said  he,  "I  don't  call 
it  the  square  thing  to  talk  .ike  that.  None  of 
us  were  forced  to  come  into  this  contest  at  all, 
and  we  can  get  out  as  soon  as  we  like;  but 
while  we  are  in,  let  us  try  to  behave  like 
gentlemen." 

"Bravo!"  said  a  voice,  apparen.y  close 
beside  them, — a  voice  so  deep,  so  hoarse  that 
it  was  like  the  waves  against  the  rock. 

The  boys  started  apart  and  began  to  look 
in  all  directions;  but  look  as  they  might  there 
was  nothing  to  be  seen.  And  while  they 
sought,  the  wail  rose  again,  louder,  more 
piercing  than  before.     Jake  and  Wat  both 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  NIGHT. 


105 


took  to  their  heels,  the  former  saying  that  he 
was  going  back  to  camp  and  would  clinch  the 
whole  thing. 

"Hi,  you  fellows,  don't  do  that!"  cried 
Julian.  "You  may  lose  the  contest.  Don't 
give  up  like  that!" 

"WTio'U  know?"  Jake  called  back:  halting, 
however,  in  his  flight. 

'  'Well,  we  can't  tell  that,"  Julian  answered. 
"But,  anyhow,  we'd  better  see  the  thing  out 
fairly." 

Reluctantly  the  two  turned  back;  and  then 
Julian  and  Sedgwick  advanced  slowly  and 
cautiously.  They  had  not  gone  very  far, 
when  they  saw  a  figure  which  seemed  to  them 
gigantic  in  the  pallor  of  the  moonlight;  and 
the  figure  waved  its  arms  wildly  and  fearfully. 

"Sweet  Mother,"  cried  Julian,  "pray 
for  us ! " 

Jake  was  thoroughly  frightened  and  uttered 
an  unearthly  yell,  while  eveu  stout-hearted 
Sedgwick  quailed. 

"What  in  the  name  of  heaven  is  it?"  he 
asked. 

Presently  they  heard,  mingled  with  the 
noise  of  the  sea  and  the  weird  murmurs  of  the 
forest,  nr.'.tterings  which  at  first  were  indis- 


I 


'i- 


I06  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

tinguishable.  Then,  after  a  few  seconds, 
came  a  long,  hissing  whisper,  which  fairly 
froze  the  blood  in  the  boys'  veins: 

"I  seek— I  seek  the  lost  jewel  of  the  Mor- 
timers!   Woe — woe  is  me!" 

It  was  some  time  before  any  one  rallied 
from  the  terrible  dread  into  which  this  appa- 
rition  had  cast  the  little  band  of  explorers. 
Then  Julian  said: 

*'I  think  I  know  who  it  is.  It's  that  ter- 
rible man  grandfather  spoke  of  one  day— 'the 
Mad  Hermit  of  the  Forest'." 


\M 


i 
w 


Chapter  VIII. 
The  Mad  Hermit. 

Julian  spoke  in  a  thrilling  whisper,  which 
seemed  to  be  repeated  in  ghostly  fashion  from 
aisle  to  aisle  of  the  forest.  Involuntarily,  the 
little  group  grew  closer  together;  and  in  the 
silence  that  followed  Sedgwick  asked: 

«'Who  was  he?" 

••It's  a  queer  story.  Grandfathci.-  told  me 
just  a  little  of  it  one  day.  He  didn't  say  that 
he  lived  in  these  woods,  but  only  that  one  of 
the  Mortimers  lost  his  wits  looking  lor  the 
cavern,  and  he's  still  seeking  it-,  and  every- 
one calls  him  the  Mad  Hermit. ' ' 

••Here  he  comes!"  cried  Walter,  turning  to 
run  in  the  opposite  direction;  while  Jake 
climbed  a  tree,  and  even  Sedgwick  began  to 
edge  away  from  the  spot.  Julian  alone  stood 
his  ground. 

•'I  guess  he's  harmless,"  he  said  to  him- 
self, ••or  he  would  have  been  shut  up."  And 
so,  trying  to  keep  up  his  courage,  he  waited 

(107) 


PI 

h 


i 


108  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

the  swift  approach  of  that  spectral,  emaciated 
figure. 

v_  It  was  clad  in  a  tattered  gown,  with  a  cloak 
thrown  over  the  shoulders  and  waving  wildly 
in  the  wind.  The  hair  and  beard  likewise 
streamed  in  the  night  blast,  and  a  withered 
hand  grasped  convulsively  at  a  tall  staff.  The 
face  was  ashen  pale,  the  eyes  wild  and  staring, 
and  the  restless  steps  were  of  one  who  could 
never  be  still. 

At  first  the  spectre  appeared  to  see  nothing, 
but  talked  and  muttered  incessantly.  Sud- 
denly, however,  catching  sight  of  Julian,  the 
Mac*  Hermit  stopped. 

"na!  ha!"  he  cried,  a  kind  of  surprise 
lighting  up  the  haggard  face.  "You're  the 
ghost  of  Bob  Mortimer,  I  suppose.  Don't 
you  remember.  Bob,  when  we  started  to  seek 
the  cavern?  Ha!  ha!  we  didn't  find  it  quite 
so  quickly  as  we  thought  But  listen  hither. 
Bob!" 

He  came  close  till  his  hot  breath  touched 
Julian's  cheek;  but  the  little  fellow  stood  his 
ground,  gazing  up  at  the  apparition  with 
frightened  yet  resolute  eyes. 

"You're  little.  Bob,— you're  very  little," 
the  Hermit  went  on. 


THE  MAD  HERMIT. 


109 


**You  see  you  didn't  grow.  There  is  a 
cavern,  Bob,"  he  added  in  a  piercing  whisper. 
"It's  where  the  marsh  moves;  it's  where  the 
wild  beasts  are.  Hal  ha!  but  I  couldn't  get 
in.     Ha!  ha!  I  must  be  going,  Bob!" 

T'  en  his  face  took  on  a  look  of  cunning. 

"There's  no  cavern.  Bob,— of  course  not! 
You'll  never  fiud  it.  Go  back  to  town.  Bob, 
— go  back  to  town!" 

Wildly  waving  his  anns,  he  flew  on  and 
was  lost  in  the  forest. 

Julian  stood  still.  Were  those  words  the 
raving  of  a  lunatic,  or  had  the  Mad  Hermit 
in  reality  given  him  a  clue  to  the  location  of 
the  cavern?  It  was  an  inspiring  thought. 
Next  time  the  quest  began,  he  should  venture 
once  more  into  that  ill-starred  neighborhood 
of  the  marsh,  and  seek,  in  spite  of  all  ob- 
stacles, for  the  cavern.  What  if  he  were  to 
find  it?  His  heart  beat  fast,  his  pulses 
throbbed. 

One  thing  was  certain:  he  must  tell  the 
others.  He  had  acquired  this  knowledge  ac- 
cidentally: all  must  know  and  have  an  equal 
chance.  His  boyish  idea  of  honor  so  carefully 
cultivated  at  home  and  at  school  pointed  out 
his  duty  here  with  unerring  precision.  It  also 


I  ,. 


i 


•1,^' 


IIO  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

seemed  to  him  that  his  grandfather  ought  to 
be  told,  so  that  he  might  be  the  judge  as  to 
whether  or  not  this  foreknowledge  interfered 
with  the  honest  finding  of  the  cavern.  When 
the  last  trace  of  the  Hermit  had  disappeared, 
Julian  raised  his  voice. 

'•Hie,  Sedgwick!"  he  called. 

And  that  boy,  who  was  at  no  great  dis- 
tance, advanced  in  a  somewhat  shamefaced 
way,  saying  frankly  that  the  appearance  of 
the  Hermit  had  put  him  in  a  "blue  funk", 
though  he  was  not  afraid  of  most  things! 
Jake,  too,  came  down  from  the  tree;  while 
Walter  presently  emerged  from  a  thick  grove 
near  by,  full  of  apologies  for  his  own  want  of 
courage. 

"Never  mind  that  now,"  said  Julian.  "He 
didn't  do  me  any  harm,  and  he  wasn't  so  very 
awful.  He  mistook  me,  I  gue=  for  my 
father.  But,  fellows,  he  said  something 
important. '  = 

"What!  the  Wandering  Jew  there?"  asked 
Sedgwick.  "I'm  blest  if  this  Hermit  isn't 
exact./  like  the  picture  of  him." 

"Oh,  he's  daft!"  cried  Jake,  contemptuous- 
ly. "It  doesn't  matt-t  what  he  says.  He's 
as  mad  as  a  March  hare."  V 


THE  MAD  HERMIT. 


Ill 


"Well,  anyway,"  declared  Julian,  "I'm 
going  to  ma„e  you  all  as  wise  as  myself;  and 
if  it's  a  madman's  ravings,  why,  we're  no 
worse  off  than  before." 

The  curiosity  of  the  others  bw^an  to  be 
excited. 

"Out  with  it,  curly  pate,  whatever  it  is!" 
cried  Sedgwick. 

"Is  it — is  it  anything  about  the  contest  ?" 
Jake  inquired. 

"Don't  keep  us  in  suspense,"  put  in  Wat. 

"Well,  he  said  there  was  a  cavern,  and  that 
the  entrance  was  at  the  moving  marsh,  where 
the  wild  beasts  are." 

Sedgwick  whistled. 

"There  may  be  something  in  it,  Julian," 
he  decided.  "We've  been  pretty  well  through 
the  rest  of  the  wood;  and  probably  no  one  has 
ever  gone  far  in  exploring  the  marsh,  es- 
pecially with  that  animal— whatever  it  is— 
there."  And  after  a  moment  or  two  of  re- 
flection, he  added:  "Look  here,  Julian,  it  was 
very  square  of  you  to  tell  the  rest  of  us  fellows 
and  give  us  all  a  chance." 

Julian  fidgeted  and  turned  red.    The  praise 
confused  him. 

"That's  all   right,   Sedgwick,"    he  said, 


rs&i 


■■''. 


\, 


III  THE  LOST  JKWKI,  OF  TIIK  MORTIMERS. 

awkwardly.  "Hearing  it  in  the  way  I  did, 
it  wouldn't  have  been  fair  to  keep  it  from 
you.  Of  course  if  I  had  found  it  out  for  my- 
self, it  would  have  been  different." 
^"You're  always  on  the  square,  Julian," 
spoke  up  Walter. 

But  Jake  said  not  a  word,  and  his  face  w;is 
disfigured  by  an  ugly  sneer. 

"Before  we  do  anything  about  it,  though," 
declared  Julian,  "I  think  we  ought  to  tell 
grandfather,  and  ask  him  if  it  makes  any  dif- 
ference having  found  a  clue  in  that  way." 

"All  rot,"  cried  Jake,  angrily;  and  even 
Sedgwick  was  disposed  to  think  that  it  was 
fair  enough,— one  of  the  chances  of  that  mys- 
terious wood. 

"I  think  £o  myself,"  agreed  Julian.  "But, 
still,  I  would  rather  tell  grandfather  and  feel 
sure  about  it." 

Then  followed  a  somewhat  heated  discus- 
sion, in  which  their  voices  rose  higher  and 
higher,  one  above  the  other,  after  the  manner 
of  the  most  ordinary  boys.  Finally  Sedgwick 
and  Walter  came  round  to  their  cousin's  view, 
and  it  was  decided  that  on  the  morrow  he 
should  go  to  the  mansion  at  Pine  Bluff  and 
acquaint   Mr.    Mortimer   with   all    that    had 


THK  MAD  IIKRMIT. 


JI3 


occurred.  Jake,  too,  veered  round  and  ac- 
quiesced in  this  arrangement  with  a  sudden- 
ness which  would  have  aroused  the  suspicion 
of  less  honorable  and  less  unsuspecting  lads. 
They  were  glad,  in  fact,  that  harmony  was 
It-stored^  especially  as  it  was  now  time  to  re- 
turn to  camp. 

The  moon  had  long  since  set,  casting  a 
wild,  lurid  light  over  the  forest,  and  the 
whiteness  of  the  dawn  began  to  brighten  the 
eastern  sky.  So  the  boys  turned  their  steps 
toward  the  tents,  beginning  to  feel  drowsy 
and  very  weary  after  the  excitement. 

Suddenly  upon  their  paih  appeared  the 
wild  figure  of  the  Mad  Hermit,  going  at  full 
speed  and  waving  his  arms  as  if  in  a  frantic 
appeal  to  the  heavens  above.  The  boys, 
with  scared  faces,  stood  by  to  let  him  pass. 
He  did  not  notice  them  at  all,  and  pursued 
his  way,  rushing  along  the  forest  paths,  and 
finally  disappearing  in  a  clump  of  trees.  He 
was  a  weird  phantom  in  the  faint  morning 
light,  and  the  boys  one  and  all  felt  a  shiver 
run  through  them.  Somehow,  this  solitary 
being,  forever  intent  on  that  quest  which  had 
robl:)ed  him  of  his  reason,  seemed  a  prophecy 
and  a  warning;  and  even  the  most  careless  of 


r 


I    Si 


m 

If 

J 

m 


I 


114  THH  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

boys,  no  less  than  their  elders,  have  at  times 
their  premonitions  and  their  fears  of  com- 
ing ill. 

But  when  they  reached  camp,  a  very  com- 
iiioiiplace  incident  drove  all  these  unwhole- 
some fancies  from  their  mind.     There  was  a 
cat — a  common,  everyday  Tabby— busily  en- 
gaged in  eating  the  string  of  fish  which  Sedg- 
wick had  caught  and  hung  up  on  a  tree  for 
their  breakfast.     At  first  they  believed  it  a 
wild  cat,  and  were  for  approaching  it  with 
precaution  and  with  carefully  levelled  guns. 
At   last,   however,   with   a   hearty  burst    of 
laughter,  they  discovered  that  it  was  only  a 
lean,  half-starved  pussy.     It  is  very  undigni- 
fied to  relate,  and  quite  a  descent  from  the 
sublime  to  the  ridiculous,  that  these  four  ex- 
plorers, engaged  in  so  momentous  a  quest, 
now  indulged  heartily  in  a  cat  hunt.     They 
pursued   the   animal    with   wild    yells,    with 
bursts  of  laughter  and  occasional  throwing  of 
missiles.     But  Mistress  Tabitha  was  sly  and 
finally  escaped  into  a   tree,  far  above  their 
malicious  pursuit;  taking  with  her  the  rem- 
nants of  a  fish,  which  she  enjoyed  in  their 
actual  sight,  as  they  lay  resting  at  the  foot  of 
that  giant  oak.     Each  one  threw  a  parting 


The  mad  hermit. 


"S 


pebble  at  her,  in  good-lunnored  defiance. 
None  of  them  touched  her,  and  Tabby  con- 
tinued her  meal,  watching  with  gleaming 
eyes  of  green  her  late  adversaries  depart 
toward  the  camp. 

Each  boy,  having  munched  a  piece  of 
bread,  threw  himself  down  in  his  tent  to  sleep 
off  the  fatigues  of  the  long  night's  chase. 
Julian  lay  wakeful  for  a  time,  watching  the 
stars  as  they  peeped  in  between  the  flaps  of 
his  tent,  and  revolving  in  his  mind  the  en- 
counter with  the  wild  beast,  and  the  still 
more  terrifying,  though  less  perilous,  meeting 
with  the  Mad  Hermit.  Once  or  twice  he 
fancied  that  he  saw  the  weird  figure  hovering 
about  the  tents;  then  he  tried  to  remember 
what  his  grandfather,  in  a  few  brief,  cynical 
sentences,  had  striven  to  tell  him  of  this  sin- 
gular being.  Finally  his  thoughts  got  into 
a  tangle,  confused,  bewildered,  mingled  with 
the  sounds  of  the  forest  and  of  the  sea;  and 
at  last  he  had  floated  off  into  that  paradise  of 
untroubled  sleep,  where  the  old  are  young 
again,  and  the  world-weary  are  light  of  heart, 
and  from  which  boyhood  emerges  with  re- 
newed vitality,  hope  and  energy. 

It  seemed  to  Julian  when  he  woke  that  he 


I     i 


a 


If- 


f 


¥' 


I- 


Il6  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

could  never  wait  to  gain  his  grandfather's 
consent,  or  anything  else;  but  that,  once  his 
breakfast  was  swallowed,  he  must  hasten  to 
the  marsh  and  find  the  entrance  to  the  cavern, 
in  the  light  of  the  Hermit's  words.  As  a  first 
step  towards  action,  he  rushed  out  of  the  tent  to 
light  the  fire,  deferring  his  morning  plunge 
in  the  sea  till  the  kettle  was  filled  with  water 
and  hung  ovi  r  the  blaze. 

"I  mustn't  lose  a  moment,"  he  said  to 
himself.  "I'll  go  and  see  grandfather  and 
get  back  here  by  midday.  That  will  give  us 
a  fine,  long  afternoon  for  the  search," 

Tabby  had  interfered  a  good  deal  with  the 
morning  meal.  But  when  Julian  went  to 
bathe,  as  it  was  low  water,  he  found  a  few 
clams  on  the  beach.  The  four  boys  relished 
them  later,  with  salt  and  pepper,  finding  them 
a  pleasant  addition  to  their  bread  and  butter. 
When  everything  was  put  away,  Julian  pre- 
pared to  start  upon  his  mission;  but  as  he 
neared  the  edge  of  the  forest,  whom  should  he 
encounter  but  Nicholas,  standing  with  arms 
outspread,  plainly  barring  his  passage? 

Julian   looked   up   into    the    rugged    face 
Ccirnestly. 

*'I  must  go!"  he  said. 


THE  MAD  HERMIT. 


117 


Nicholas  shook  his  head  from  side  to  side, 
precisely  like  some  wooden  image. 

"I've  got  to  go!"  Julian  repeated;  and  again 
Nicholas  shook  his  head. 

Julian  was  jjerplexed. 

"1  have  to  tell  my  grandfather  before  I  can 
go  on  with  the  quest;  so,  Nicholas,  you  must 
let  "ne  go." 

The  wooden  face  relaxed  somewhat. 

*'I  must  let  him  know  about  the  Mad  Her- 
mit and  what  he  told  me." 

"Aha!"  the  voice  came  suddenly  from  the 
rugged  figure,  which  still  barred  the  path; 
and  there  was  a  glow  of  interest,  of  curiosity, 
almost  of  suspicion  in  the  face,  as  a  gleam  of 
sun  on  a  rock. 

"He  told  me,  you  see,  Nicholas,  where  the 
entrance  of  the  cavern  is,  and  I  must  ask 
grandfather  if  it  is  right  to  go  on  lookiu^ 
when  we  have  got  the  clue." 

Nicholas,  with  a  trace  of  eagerness  never 
perceptible  before  in  his  imperturbable  face, 
broke  his  habitual  silence. 

"You  will  not  give  up?" 

"No,"  said  Julian,  solemnly.  "With  God's 
help,  I  mean  to  keep  on;  only  I  want  to  do 
everything  fairly." 


i 


s 


118  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

The  arms  were  withdrawn,  and  Nicholas, 
making  once  again  the  military  salute,  stepped 
aside.  Julian,  with  a  simple  "Thank  you, 
Nicholas!"  passed  on  his  way;  while  the  old 
man  looked  after  the  brave  figure  of  the  boy, 
just  touched  with  the  morning  sunlight,— 
and  looked  and  looked  till  he  had  to  wink 
away  some  very  human  tears  from  his  eyes. 

It  was  a  beautiful  morning,  and  as  Julian 
hurried  on,  the  beauty  of  it  seemed  to  sink 
into  his  heart;  for  a  peaceful  heart,  a  good 
conscience,  and  a  joyous  temperament  give  to 
Nature  a  gladness  that  is  indescribable. 
Every  honest  boy  experiences  this  when  he 
gets  up  on  a  summer  morning  and  goes  forth 
for  a  ramble  by  sea  or  land. 

It  seemed  to  Julian's  impatience  that  the 
way  was  very  long  to  the  mansion  at  Pine 
Bluff;  but  at  last  its  roof  and  gables  came  in 
sight,  and  the  dwelling  itself,  solemn  and 
drear,  with  the  shadows  of  more  than  two 
centuries  upon  it.  Julian  entered  at  the  gar- 
den, and,  passing  by  the  flowering  beds  and 
bushes  of  roses  and  other  bloom,  he  reached 
the  familiar  lawn.  It  was  very  silent  now, 
since  "the  fellows"  were  all  gone  from  it; 
and   with   something  of  awe  Julian  passed 


THE  MAD  HERMIT. 


119 


across  its  bars  of  light  and  shade,  where  the 
suii  came  through  the  ehns  guarding  it  on 
every  side.  Plis  figure  looked  strangely  small ; 
but  his  face  had  that  brightness  upon  it  which 
one  associates  with  the  sunshine ;  and  his 
hair,  as  he  took  off  his  cap  to  wipe  his  fore- 
head, shone,  too,  iu  the  wandering  sunbeams. 
V  His  grandfather,  perceiving  him  from  the 
library  window,  felt  a  glow  half  of  pleasure, 
half  of  vexation.  Had  this  little  chap  come 
to  disturb  his  beloved  solitude?  And  had  he 
been,  after  all,  the  first  to  give  up  the  con- 
test ?  With  these  thoughts  was  a  certain 
pleasure,  owing  to  the  gladness  of  the  boy's 
face  and  to  his  brave  and  manly  bearing. 

*'If  he  has  given  up,  the  others  have  no 
chance,"  the  old  man  thought.  "And  yet 
I  am  surprised.  I  did  not  think  he  would 
have  accepted  defeat  so  speedily." 

And  then  Mr.  Mortimer  heard  the  young 
voice  saying  outside  his  window: 

•'May  I  come  into  the  library,  grandfather? 
I  have  something  very  important  to  tell  you." 

The  old  man  could  scarce  restrain  a  smile 
at  the  gravity  with  which  this  message  was 
delivered;  and  he  looked  down  at  the  small 
figure,  with  its  resolute  air,  and  into  the 
bright  eyes  gazing  so  earnestly  into  his  own. 


120  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  T'  K  MORTLMERS. 

"Come  in,  then,"  he  said,  -and  let  us  hear 
the  momentous  tidings.  One  would  think  you 
were  an  ambassador  from  the  Czar  of  All  the 

Russias." 

And  Julian,  accepting  the  invitation,  went 
"P  the  steps  and  in  at  the  open  door,  taking 
his  way  to  the  library,  where  Mr.  Mortimer 
s:.t  awaiting  him. 


I.; 


Chapter  IX. 
An  Afternoon's  Adventures. 

When  Julian  entered  his  grandfather's  lib- 
rary, the  boy's  figure  acquired  a  peculiar  dig- 
nity from  the  surroundings.  It  was  as  if  a 
bright  spirit  of  Youth  had  suddenly  invaded 
precincts  which  had  become  the  exclusive 
property  of  Age.  The  grandfather  surveyed 
his  visitor  lor  a  moment  in  silence,  then  he 
spok«»: 

"To  what  am  I  indebted.  Master  Julian 
Mortimer,  for  this  early  return  from  your  syl- 
van solitude?" 

"I  just  came  back  to  speak  to  you,  sir." 

•'Ah!  Not  for  an  extended  stay?  Not  with 
a  view  to  giving  np  the  contest?" — and  his 
eyebrows  were  very  satirical. 

Julian  flushed. 

"I  do  not  think  I  shall  ever  give  up,  grand- 
father," he  said  proudly,— "unless  I  see  that 
it  is  utterly  useless." 

The  grandfather  smothered  the  sigh  which 
rose  to  his  lips,  and,  from  under  contracted 

(121) 


122  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

brows,  studied  the  fearless  countenance  and 
the  shilling  hair  before  him.  On  his  lap 
rested  an  open  treatise,  which  discussed  some 
abstruse  problem  of  life  with  which  youth  has 
nothing  to  do 

"I  thought  it  was  fairer  to  come  and  tell 
you,"  said  Julian,  «'that  I  met  the  Mad 
Hermit." 

The  g/andfather  started. 

"That,  is,  we  all  met  him,  coming  along 
just  like  fury.     But  he  spoke  to  me." 

"Why  to  you?" 

Julian  hesitated.  He  did  not  want  to  say 
that  the  others,  even  Sedgwick,  had  run 
away. 

"He  mistook  me  for  my  father,  called  me 
Bob,"  explained  Julian;  "and  he  told  me 
where  to  look  for  the  entrance  of  the  cavern." 

"He  told  you  that!''  exclaimed  the  grand- 
father, leaning  forward  in  strong  excitement. 
"Then,  my  boy,  if  you  find  that,  half  the 
battle  is  won,— or  so  I  have  always  heard." 

"He  told  me  it  was  in  the  moving  marsh, 
where  that  wild  beast  is." 

"The  moving  marsh!  the  wild  beast!" 
repeated  the  grandfather  thoughtfully;  then 
he  leaned  back  in  his  chair.  "Pshaw,  child! 
he  is  mad, — remember  he  is  mad!" 


AN  afternoon's  ADVENTURES.    123 

"But  may  we  try?"  inquired  Julian,  looking 
earnestly  into  his  grandfather's  face.  «'Will 
it  be  fair  if  we  find  the  cavern  after  getting 
the  clue  from  the  Hermit?" 

The  grandfather  stared.  He  was  an  up- 
right man,  as  men  go;  but  this  point  of  honor 
was  beyond  him. 

"That's  what  I  came  to  ask  you,"  went  on 
Julian. 

"You  came  to  ask  me  if  you  might  make 
use  of  this  knowledge  gained  from  the  mad- 
man?" asked  Mr.  Mortimer. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Did  the  others  agree  with  you  in  thinking 
my  judgment  necessary?" 

"Well,  we  had  an  argument,  but  at  last 
they  all  agreed,  even  Jake." 

Mr.  Mortimer  looked  away  out  over  the 
sunlit  lawn,  uito  some  far  distance,  as  though 
he  was  seeking  for  his  own  sunny  youth. 
Perhaps  he  strove  to  remember  if  this  quality 
of  absolute  truthfulness  and  sincerity  had  cast 
a  glow  over  that  beautiful  land  of  the  long 
ago.  Then,  with  something  like  pain  con- 
tracting his  forehead  for  an  instant,  he 
answered: 

"I  have  no  power  to  decide  in  such  a  case: 


124  THE  LOST  JEWKL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

no  instructions  have  been  left.  But  my  indi- 
vidual opinion  is  that  you  should  certainly 
proceed  to  act  upon  this  knowledge.  Of  course 
it  may  prove  to  be  a  Will-o'-the-wisp,  but  yon 
are  entitled  to  what  light  it  gives."' 

Having  so  decided,  Mr.  Mortimer  was 
silent  a  moment;  then  he  inquired,  with  some 
curiosity: 

"Did  the  Hermit  give  this  information  to 
all  the  boys?" 

"No,  sir,"  said  Julian.  "I  think  I  was 
the  only  one  who  heard." 

"Then  I  presume  you  will  follow  the  clue 
for  your  own  benefit?" 

"Oh,  no!"  cried  Julian,  his  fair  face  flush- 
ing. "I  couldn't  do  that.  I  have  already 
told  them;  for  I  want  to  go  ahead  fairly." 

The  grandfather's  eyes  were  dimmed  this 
time  with  a  very  imusual  moisture,  akin  to 
that  mist  which  had  obscured  the  orbs  of 
Nicholas  0.1  the  edge  of  the  forest,— akin  to 
that  dimness  which  clouds  an  old  man's  vision 
when  he  catches  sight  of  the  half-forgotten 
sky  of  youth  aglow  with  trustfulness,  hopeful- 
ness, and  the  light  of  integrity. 

"My  boy,"  he  said,  "unless  the  lost  jewel 
and  the  hidden  room  be  but  shadows  of  a 


AN  afternoon's  ADVENTURES. 


125 


dreain,  I  believe  you  will  some  clay  discover 
theni;  for  you  have  been  found  worthy." 

He  rose  and,  with  old-fashioned  courtesy, 
made  a  stately  bow.  Julian  was  half  abashed, 
half  awestricken. 

"You  should  have  been  Sir  Julian  de  Mor- 
timer," the  old  man  continued,  relapsing  into 
a  sportive  vein,  "and  have  worn  a  suit  of 
unstained  armor,  borne  a  lance  that  was  in- 
vincible, and  uplifted  the  good  sword  Excali- 
bur.  But,  as  it  is,  you  are  only  a  boy  of  the 
twentieth  century,  with  your  own  ideals  to 
work  out;  and  you  shall  presently  have  hm- 
cheon  with  nie.  After  that  I  shall  entrust 
you  with  the  volume  which  records  the  life 
and  doings  of  our  common  ancestor,  this  re- 
doubtable Anselm  Benedict.  You  will  guard 
it  carefully  and  return  it  to  me  when  next  you 
come  from  the  forest." 

The  luncheon  was  ser\'ed  with  the  usual 
formal  stateliness.  The  old  man  presided 
with  dignity;  the  boy,  who  seemed  small  and 
insignificant  in  those  great  rooms,  sat  beside 
him  and  enjoyed  the  good  things  with  a  boy's 
hardy  relish.  His  grandfather  watched  him 
approvingly,  saying  to  himself  that  the  lad 
had  really  very  good  table  manners.     I^ittle 


i 


I 


126  THK  LOST  JKVVIvL  OF  TIIK  MORTIMERS. 

was  said,  and  after  the  meal  the  oddly  assorted 
pair  returned  to  the  library.  When  they  had 
been  sitting  there  a  few  moments,  the  grand- 
father drowsy  and  dozing  in  his  chair,  Julian 
suddenly  rose. 

♦*I  am  afraid,  grandfatlie-,  I  shall  have  to 
be  going,"  he  announced. 

Mr.  Mortimer  started,  awoke,  nibbed  his 
eyes  and  looked  at  iiis  grandson,  amused  at 
his  tone  and  bearing. 

••Indeed!     And   pray   what's   your  hurrv 
Julian?"  ^' 

••Well,  you  see,  sir,  I  promised  the  others 
to  get  back  as  soon  as  I  could,  so  that  we 
might  begin  the  search  for  the  cavern  this 
afternoon." 

"So  eager!"  sighed  the  old  man,  gazing 
out  again  through  the  window  to  what  might 
have  been  the  lost  hills  of  youth.  •'Well,  I 
must  not  keep  you.  I  will  give  you  the  vol- 
ume as  a  precious  loan.  It  is  of  much  value 
as  an  historical  record,--though  few  of  us 
have  ever  so  muci  as  opened  it." 
St  The  grandfather  adjusted  his  glasses  and 
cast  his  eyes  down  the  pages  of  a  folio,  evi- 
dently a  list  of  books  in  the  library.  Then  he 
rose  and  pressed  a  spring  in  the  wall:  a  cup- 


AN  AFTERNOON'S  ADVRNTURRS.    1 27 

hoard  stood  revealed.  Its  shelves  were  ladeu 
with  many  things  which  to  Julian's  eyes 
seemed  like  treasures :  slippers  of  Spanish 
leather  with  silver  buckles ;  daggers  with 
elaborate  hilts;  quaintly  carved  tennis  balls, 
with  which  tradition  said  a  king  of  France 
had  played  a  king  of  England;  stirrup  cups 
of  the  long  ago ;  snuff-boxes,  fur-trimmed 
gantlets,  ancient  manuscripts,  curious  Missals. 
Amongst  these  last  Mr.  Mortimer  sought  and 
found  a  volume  bound  in  leather,  richly 
jewelled,  with  solid  silver  clasps  of  rare  work- 
manship. Having  taken  it  forth,  he  blew 
the  dust  from  its  cover  and  wiped  it  with  a 
silken  duster. 

"Here,  my  boy,"  he  said,  "is  the  history 
of  our  eccentric  ancestor,  Anrelm  Benedict 
Mortimer,  of  unquiet  memory-." 

It  hurt  Julian  to  hear  his  grandfather's  tone 
of  disparagement  toward  a  person  whom  he 
had  already  transformed  into  a  boyish  idol. 
For  the  most  generous  and  high-minded  of 
boys  are  usually  he  o-worshipers  and  exalt 
some  one  to  a  pinnacle,  whether  it  be  the 
successful  pitcher  or  catcher  in  a  baseball 
contest,  the  professor  who  by  some  eloquent 
lecture  has  won  their  admiration,  the  mathe- 


I2S  THK  LOST  JKWKL  OF  TIIK  MORTl.Ml.RS. 


.     Si 

ill; 


inaticiaii  who  has  demoiistrated  a  difficult 
proposition,  the  circus-rider  who  has  ridden 
the  wildest  mustang,  or  the  great  general  who 
has  commanded  the  applause  of  a  nation. 
Julian  was  uo  exception  to  the  rule,  and  this 
tendency  in  his  nature  had  been  encouraged 
and  directed  into  safe  channels  by  his  mother. 
Just  now  he  had  given  the  fust  place  in  his 
imagination  to  the  somewhat  visionary  an- 
cestor who  had  imposed  so  stern  an  ordeal 
upon  his  descendants. 

"I  entrust  you  with  this  volume  because  I 
know  you  will  value  and  care  for  it,"  declared 
Mr.  Mortimer. 

"But,  grandfather,  ]  am  afraid.  It  is  so 
handsome,  so  costly!  Suppose  it  should  get 
lost?" 

"Well,  then,  my  lad,  you  or  I  would  be 
responsible  to  the  estate  for  a  considerable 
amount;  but,  after  all— "  (he  gave  Julian  a 
peculiar  glance,  which  the  boy  was  far  from 
understanding,  and  finished  his  sentence) 
/'after  all,  if  you  go  on  as  you're  doing,  the 
)  price  of  this  volume  may  be  a  very  small 
matter  to  you  by  and  by." 

Julian   said   nothing,   looking   gravely   up 
into  his  grandfather's  face,  with  his  head  on 


liii 


AN  afternoon's  \DVKNTURKS. 


129 


•  ,n.- 


to    u 


stand    liis 


one   side,    as   if   an> , 
meaning. 

"However,"  said  '  -c  old  nia'j,  laying  his 
hand  on  Jnlian's  arm  with  real  kindliness, 
"I  shall  be  very  much  disappointed  in  you  if 
the  book  gets  lost  or  injured  while  in  your 
possession." 

"I  don't  know  about  that,  sir,"  argued 
Julian.  "Mother  used  to  say  I  was  very  care- 
less about  my  clothes." 

Mr.  Mortimer  laughed. 

"Well,  you  must  take  extra  care  of  the 
book, — that's  all.  And  see  that  it  does  not 
get  spotted." 

Julian  received  the  volume  as  if  he  were 
accepting  a  trust,  believing  with  all  the  con- 
fidence of  youth  that  he  would  guard  it  with 
his  life.  Tucking  it  carefully  under  his  arm, 
he  took  leave  of  his  grandfather  and  set  forth, 
trudging  bravely  along  the  road  toward  the 
forest,  which  lay  bright  and  shimmering  un- 
der the  sun's  rays,  a  mass  of  verdure. 

When  Julian  reached  the  camp,  he  hurried 
into  his  tent  to  put  the  precious  volume  in  a 
place  of  safety.  Then  he  came  forth  to  find 
Sedgwick  and  Wat  stretched  at  length  under 
the  trees.      They  could  give  no  account  of 


m 


r 


i. 


.1 

^1 


130  TIIK  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTLMERS. 

Jake.      He   had   left   camp   very   soon   after 
Julian's  departure  that  morning. 

"I  guess  he's  trying  to  shoot  something  for 
supper,"  remarked  Sedgwick.  "We're  get- 
ting rather  low  for  provender." 

"I  saw  a  tiny  house  on  the  edge  of  the 
forest,  over  near  the  cliff,"  said  Julian;  "and 
there's  an  old  woman  there  has  a  cow.  I'm 
going  to  try  and  get  some  milk,  and  perhaps 
butter,  from  her.  I  have  a  little  money  mother 
gave  me.  But  I  wish  we  could  go  to  the 
marsh  now  while  it's  light.  Of  course  we 
can't  begin  the  search,  though,  without  Jake. 
It  would  be  unfair." 

"It's  a  pity,"  cried  Wat;  "because  it's  a 
fine  day,  and  there  are  clouds  over  yonder! 
I  shouldn't  wonder  if  it  rains  to-morrow.'' 

"He's  the  greatest  beggar  for  being  out  of 
the  way  when  he's  wanted,"  growled  Sedg- 
wick. "I  vote,  we  all  walk  down  toward  the 
marsh.  We  may  meet  the  fellow  somewhere. " 

So  off  they  all  started;  for  anything  was 
better  than  keeping  still.  And  as  they  went, 
they  sang  lustily  the  last  college  song  which 
had  often  disturbed  the  campus.  When  they 
drew  near  the  sinister  spot,  a  silence  fell  upon 
them,  and  even  the  bravest  were  conscious  of 


AN  AFTKRXOON'S  ADVENTURES. 


131 


a  feeling  of  trepidation.  What  was  their 
consternation  to  hear  faint  but  repeated  cries 
as  of  distress.  Some  animal — or,  more  hor- 
rible thought,  some  human  being — was  in 
danger  or  pain  of  some  kind  or  another.  The 
boys  listened  and  listened.  That  moaning, 
those  faint  cries  for  help,  fa'rly  ciirdled  their 
blood.  At  last  Julian  criei ,  with  a  sudden 
flash  of  intuition: 

"Jake!" 

He  began  to  run  forward  at  full  speed;  the 
others,  after  some  hesitation,  following.  They 
had  run  halfway  round  to  the  far  side  of  the 
marsh,  when  they  beheld  a  strange  and  hor- 
rible sight.  Jake  had  sunk  into  the  marsh 
as  far  as  his  knees.  To  the  boys'  excited 
imagination  it  seemed  as  if  he  must  be  drawn 
down  before  their  eyes,  after  the  manner  of 
the  storybooks.  More  terrible  still,  the  beast 
that  had  before  threatened  their  very  lives, 
paced  restlessly  upon  the  bank,  growling  and 
sniffing,  deterred  only  by  the  uncertain  nature 
of  the  marsh  from  falling  upon  Jake.  And  as 
if  to  complete  the  chapter  of  horrors  and  to 
ensure  the  hapless  lad's  destruction,  above 
him  towered,  secure  upon  a  shaded  knoll,  the 
awful  figure  of  the  Mad  Hermit,  brandishing 
an  axe  in  his  powerful  arms. 


i* 


II 
n 


132  THH  LOST  J p:\vi: L  ok  the  mortimurs. 

Julian  was  a  brave  boy,  and  lie  was  most 
anxious  to  live  up  to  tlie  high  ideal  of  cour- 
age and  manliness  set  him  by  his  inustrious 
ancestor,  the  chivalrous  Anselm  Benedict. 
But  he  stood  now  fairly  petrified  by  fear,  in 
presence  of  the  threefold  danger  threatening 
the  hapless  Jake.  Suddenly,  with  a  great 
leap  of  the  heart,  it  came  home  to  him  that 
he  could  not  allow  his  cousin  tliirs  to  perish. 
Something  nuist  be  done! 

Following  this  impulse,  he  stepped  as 
lightly  as  possible  upon  the  marsh.  It  qua- 
vered, but  he  continued  his  course,  for  there 
was  no  other  means  of  reaching  Jake,  while 
the  wild  animal  kept  watch  upon  the  opposite 
bank.  The  marsh  was  dotted,  curiously 
enough,  with  little  knolls,  such  as  that  upon 
which  the  Hermit  had  ensconced  himself, 
and  upon  each  of  these  knolls  was  a  wide- 
spreading  oak.  These  circumstances  sug- 
gested to  Julian's  active  mind  the  possibility 
of  approaching  the  struggling  Jake.  He  ad- 
vanced as  cautiously  as  possible  to  the  first  of 
these  knolls,  and  seizing  the  outspreading 
branch  of  a  tree,  succeeded  without  difficulty 
in  swinging  himself  to  a  tolerably  secure 
position  amongst  the  branches. 


AN  afternoon's  ADVENTURES. 


133 


From  this  point  he  crept  along  carefully, 
till  he  was  able  to  seize  a  branch  of  the  tree 
which  occupied  the  second  knoll.  After  that 
he  strove  to  make  his  way  by  springing  from 
one  tree  to  another,  though  the  distance 
between  was  considerable,  and  he  knew  that 
if  he  fell  he  would,  by  the  force  of  his  own 
weight,  be  buried  almost  to  a  certainty  in  the 
noisome  slime  of  the  marsh.  Nevertheless, 
he  succeeded  in  swinging  himself  into  the  oak 
under  which  stood  the  Mad  Hermit.  Having 
securely  planted  himself  upon  an  upper  bough, 
he  swooped  down  and  seized  the  hatchet. 
The  madman,  who  had  been  intent  on  Jake 
and  had  not  taken  any  notice  of  Julian's 
manoeuvres,  in  his  astonishment,  let  go  of 
the  formidable  weapon.  Julian  having  secured 
it,  by  a  dexterous  aim  laimched  it  into  space. 
The  Hermit  became  madly  excited  and  turned 
to  look  for  the  offender,  crying: 

"Justice,  justice  must  be  done  under  high 
Heaven!" 

The  mass  of  foliage  hid  Julian  from  his 
view,  and  as  he  could  not  discover  the  new 
aggressor,  he  returned  once  more  to  his  old 
enemy  and  bending  seized  Jake  by  the  hair, 
with  the  ominous  words: 


■•1 

li 
i\ 

i 


1'^ 


T34  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"I  will  plunge  you  downwards  and  bury 
you  in  the  quagmire!" 

Jake  uttered  shriek  after  shriek,  while  the 
animal  upou  the  shore  redoubled  itsgrowliugs 
and  paced  back  and  forth,  sniffing  more 
ferociously  than  ever.  It  almost  seemed  as  if 
it  would  leap  upon  the  uncertain  ground, 
which  had  hitherto  restrained  it,  aid  seizing 
upou  Jacob,  destroy  that  miserable  boy's  last 
chance  of  escape. 

"You  would  dig!  you  would  dig!"  cried 
the  lunatic,  "you  would  find  the  cavern,  but 
I  tell  yon,  you  shall  not,  for  it  is  mine. 
I  keep  a  hundred  lions  there;  Bob  tried  to 
find  it;  he  couldn't  and  he  went  back  to 
town." 

As  the  Hermit  spoke  thus,  Julian  glanced 
at  the  spade  upon  the  bank  and  realized  with 
a  curious  sense  of  disgust  and  abhorrence, 
that  Jake  had  actually  come  here  on  his  own 
account,  to  steal  a  march  upon  his  compan- 
ions and  discover  the  cavern  without  them. 
However,  this  did  not  interfere  with  his  settled 
resolve  to  save  Jake,  if  it  were  possible,  no 
matter  what  might  be  the  risk  to  himself. 

The  Hermit,  whose  unstable  mind  had  for 
the   moment   wandered   from   its  purpose  of 


AN  afternoon's  adventures.      135 

bodily  harm  to  Jacob,  suddenly  remembered 
his  previous  intentions,  and  seizing  a  firmer 
grip  of  his  victim,  began  to  dance  him  up  and 
down,  cr>'ing: 

"I  will  bury  you!     I  will  bury  you!" 

"But  if  you  bury  him,"  cried  Julian,  from 
his  vantage  ground  amidst  the  foliage,  "he 
mav  find  the  cavern!" 

The  words  proved  magical. 

"That  is  true  !"  cried  the  Hermit,  "I  will 
pull  him  out  and  cast  him  upon  the  shore  for 
the  wild  beasts  to  devour," 

Now  this  new  feature  of  the  programme 
filled  Jake  with  a  terror,  which  he  expressed 
by  renewed  shrieks.  Julian,  too,  was  greatly 
alarmed ;  for  the  marsh  had  been  the  sole 
protection  against  the  beast.  And  if  the 
lunatic  carried  out  this  latest  design,  Jake 
was,  indeed,  lost.  By  a  sudden  inspiration, 
however,  Julian  began  to  cry  out  to  the  Her- 
mit, from  his  vantage  point  above: 

"IJo,  no,  help  me  to  hoist  him  into  the 
tree,  and  we'll  fasten  him  up  there;  he'll  be 
too  far  above  the  earth  to  find  the  cavern." 

"Ho!  Ho!"  cried  the  lunatic,  "is  that  you. 
Bob,  cunning  Bob?  That's  a  good  scheme. 
I'll  pull  him  out  of  the  quagmire  and  give  you 


If 


136  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

his  hauds.     Then,  we'll  get  a  rope  and  tie 
him  up  for  the  crows  to  peck  at." 

He  actually  seized  upon  Jake  with  a  force 
and  celerity  which  released  the  boy  from  his 
precarious  position,  and  stood  him  up  against 
. ,  the  tree.  Julian  then  quickly  seized  his 
^  cousin's  hands,  urging  him  in  a  whisper  to 
help  all  he  could,  and  to  try  to  reach  the  low- 
est bough  of  the  tree.  Jake,  who  was  quite 
unnerved,  tried  to  grasp  the  tree  trunk  with 
his  legs,  and,  by  the  assistance  of  Julian, 
managed  to  attain  a  secure  position  upon  the 
outspreading  branch. 

But  whether  the  comb^lued  weight  of  the 
two  boys  was  too  much   for  the  bough,  or 
whether  Jake  by  some  awkward  movement 
had  dislodged  his  cousin,  it  was  impossible  to 
tell:  Julian  slipped  off  the  branch  and  fell 
heavily  into  the  marsh,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  tree  from  that  wherein  Jake  had  so  lately 
struggled.    Julian  thought  he  must  have  been 
losing   consciousness;    for    he    felt    himself 
slowly,  slowly  descending,  whither  he  knew 
not,  but  he  believed  it  must  be  into  the  realms 
of  death.     He  gave  one  swift  thought  to  his 
mother  on  earth,  another  to  his  Mother  in 
heaven. 


AN  afternoon's  ADVENTURES.    I37 

Meanwhile  Sedgwick  and  Wat  ran  along 
the  shore,  desperately  watching  the  disappear- 
ance of  their  brave  companion,  and  calling 
aloud  in  their  anguish  and  terror. 


Chapter  X. 

The  Cavern  in  the  Forest. 

Jake  was  at  first  horrified  at  the  disappear- 
ance of  Julian,  and  something  like  remorse 
entered  his  soul  when  he  remembered  the 
danger  to  which  Julian  had  been  exposed  on 
his  account.  However,  the  thought  of  his 
own  safety  soon  becme  uppermost  in  his 
mind.  The  grim  5g  of  the  Mad  Hermit 
was  still  in  evidence,  tossing  wild  arms  up- 
ward and  addressing  invocations  to  imaginary 
beings  who  seemed  to  people  the  air  about 
him;  while  on  the  bank  still  paced  restlessly, 
with  ferocious  sniffings,  the  angry  beast. 

Jake  was  sufficiently  agile,  once  he  had  re- 
covered from  his  first  fright,  and  presently 
made  for  himself  a  temporary  retreat  in  the 
topmost  branches  of  the  tree,  secure  for  a 
time  from  his  two  assailants.  As  he  sat  there 
ruminating,  a  thought  suggested  by  the  demon 
of  avarice  began  to  take  shape,  half  con- 
sciously, in  his  mind:   that,  after  all,  it  was 

(138) 


THE  CAVERN  IN  THE  FOREST. 


139 


as  well  if  this  Julian,  who  seemed  likely  to 
be  a  successful  competitor  in  the  great  race, 
had  really  been  removed  from  the  arena. 
No  one  could  help  it:  it  was  one  of  those 
happenings  for  which  none  could  be  held 
responsible.  He  did  not  directly  rejoice,  but 
he  could  not  be  expected  to  mourn  for  Julian, 
whom  he  hated.  Julian  was  always  popular, 
ever  making  friends,  and  doing  plucky  things 
which  cost  him  little  effort,  and  gaining  ap- 
planse  from  old  and  young. 

While  John  Jacob  was  busy  with  these  dark 
fancies,  Sedgwick  had  made  a  pole  of  the 
branch  of  a  dead  tree  which  lay  prostrate 
across  a  corner  of  the  marsh,  and  strove  to 
explore  the  depths  into  which  his  comrade 
had  disappeared.  When  he  at  length  realized 
that  these  efforts  were  futile,  he  stood  irreso- 
lute and  grief-stricken  on  the  bank,  in  com- 
pany with  Wat,  who  alternately  wrung  his 
hands  and  wiped  his  eyes. 

Sedgwick  had  meanwhile  given  very  little 
heed  to  Jake,  who  now  began  to  implore  his 
assistance;  for  he  feared  that  his  companions 
might  go  away  and  leave  him  in  his  danger- 
ous plight,  with  his  two  dreaded  foes  still  in 
a  position  of  vantage  below  him. 


EH 


I 


140  TIIK  LOST  JKWi: L  OK  THE  I      RTIMERS. 

"Here  I  am  stuck  up  iu  this  tree!"  he  cried 
out,  in  a  cautious  \vlii.s])cr. 

"Serves  you  right!"  replied  Sedgwick.— 
"You're  the  cause  of  all  the  trouble,— coming 
here  alone,  like  the  sneak  you  are.  Now,  I 
suppose,  you've  gone  and  done  for  Julian,  the 
best  of  the  whole  crowd  and  the  only  one 
who  had  the  least  bit  of  a  chance  to  find  the 
ruby." 

The  tears  were  very  near  the  honest  lad's 
eyes  as  he  thus  spoke;  for  he  had  learned  to 
love  his  brave  and  generous  cousin,  and  felt 
not  the  slightest  envy  at  the  general  good-will 
he  earned.  However,  he  resolutely  suppressed 
his  emotion  and  went  on,  in  a  voice  that  , 
sounded  like  a  growl: 

"I've  a  good  mind  to  let  you  stick  up  there! 
Well,  you'd  better  get  on  to  the  next  tree  and 
I'll  give  you  a  hand,— though  I'd  a  great 
sight  sooner  give  you  the  toe  of  my  boot." 

Sedgwick,  however,  in  point  of  fact,  gave 
Jake  such  elBcient  assistance  that  the  latter 
presently  stood  upon  solid  earth,  nervous  and 
shaken  by  conflicting  emotions,— a  mere  hag- 
gard wreck. 

As  they  paused  a  moment,  conversing  in 
whispers,  uncertain  what  *o  do  and  afraid  to 


'rm-:  cavkux  in  thk  iorkst. 


141 


attract  tlic  attention  of  the  Ilennit,  that  ec- 
centric individnal,  with  a  wild  shriek,  sud- 
denly fled  howling  into  the  forest;  and  at  the 
same  monient  the  beast  upon  the  opi)osite 
bank  seemed  to  realize  that  his  late  foe  had 
descended  to  the  earth,  and  so  might  come 
within  range  of  his  claws.  He  would,  of 
course,  have  a  considerable  detour  to  make  in 
order  to  come  round  the  marsh;  but  he  pre- 
pared to  solve  the  Jifficultv,  keeping  watchful 
and  terrifying  eyes  upon  Jake. 

With  one  accord  Wat  and  Jake  and  ;j.... 
wick  took  to  their  heels.  The  race  was  at 
first  a  sc\  ere  one,  and  its  upshot  might  have 
been  doubtful ;  but,  whether  the  attention  of 
the  beast  was  distracted,  or  for  some  other 
cause,  he  sudd  ,..ly  gave  up  the  human  hunt, 
to  the  intense  relief  of  the  boys.  They  now 
pursued  their  way,  unmolested,  but  despon- 
dent and  dispirited,  toward  the  camp.  Once 
there,  Sedgwick  set  out  to  scour  the  edge  of 
the  forest  in  search  of  Nicholas;  for  he  had  a 
faint  hope  that  th.it  mysterious  personage 
might  in  some  way  be  able  to  give  help  where 
Julian  was  concerned.  But  of  Nicholas  there 
was  no  trace.  Only  the  rising  wind  stirred 
the  foliage  of  the  trees  or  the  dry  leaves  upon 


142  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIAIERS. 

the  ground.     Night  was  upon  thei     solemn 
and  drear,  and  both  Sedgwick  and  Wat  were 
detennined  to  proceed  to  the  mansion  at  Pine 
Bluff  in  the  morning,  acquaint  their  grand- 
father with  what  had  occurred,  and  give  up 
the  "whole  blessed  job".    Jake,  despite  his 
cowardice,  was  stubbornly  detennined  to  con- 
tmue  the  pursuit,  with  the  hope,  daily  be- 
coming more  faint,  of  discovering  the  jewel. 
"I  guess  if  you  stay  here  alone  you'll  go 
mad  like  the  Hermit,"  prophesied  Wat. 

That  was  an  awful  night  at  the  camp. 
Julian's  tent  stood  like  a  white  spectre,  a 
warning  and  a  prophecy;  and  the  dawn  found 
the  boys  still  wakeful,  pale  and  haggard  from 
the  horror  of  what  had  befallen  them.    Sedg- 
wick  announced  his  intention  of  going  first  to 
the  marsh,  to  discover  if  by  any  means  Julian 
could  have  made  his  escape;  and  if  this  effort 
proved  futile,  he  resolved  that  he  would  call 
upon   the  grandfather  to  organize  a  search- 
party,   that  might  thoroughly  explore,  with 
spade  and  shovel,  the  mud  and  slime  of  the 
morass. 

Jake  positively  refused  to  accompany  him 
on  his  first  expedition,  alleging  the  utter  use- 
lessness  of  seeking  for  Julian,  who  had  been 


VHE  CAVERN  IN  THE  FOREST. 


143 


buried  for  several  hours  in  the  morass;  and 
Wat  frankly  confessed  that  he  was  afraid  to 
venture  near  the  Hermit  and  the  beast. 

"If  I  were  strong  and  well,  perhaps  I 
shouldn't  mind  so  much,"  Wat  declared  apol- 
ogetically. 

Sedgwick,  without  answering,  began  his 
lonely  way,  in  the  first  white  light  of  the 
dawn,  through  the  forest. 

Meanwhile  it  is  time  to  return  to  Julian, 
who  felt  himself  descending  through  space 
with  a  curious  rotatory  movement,  for  which 
he  could  not  account.  In  the  confusion  of  his 
thoughts,  he  wondered  that  he  was  not  choked 
with  the  slime  nor  swallowed  up  in  the  thick 
black  marshy  substance,  as  he  had  supposed 
would  be  the  case.  After  rapidly  revolving 
for  some  time,  he  suddenly  came  to  a  stand- 
still on  some  soft  and  yielding  surface,  after 
.which  he  lost  consciousness. 
■^  When  he  came  to  himself  he  began  to  look 
about  him.  The  boom  of  the  sea  sounded 
strangely  near,  and  rocks  gray  and  sombre 
stood  around,  in  the  light  which  had  begim 
to  grow  dim.  One  thing  was  clear:  he  was 
not  dead,  nor  were  the  objects  which  sur- 
rounded him  mere  spectral  shapes.     He  lay 


H^ 


144    THK  LOST  JKWIX  OK  TIIR  MORTIMKRS. 

Still  a  hw  moments,  while  .sudden  and  slnrp 
the  remembrance  of  his  mother  flashed  into 
Ins  mind.  What  would  she  think,  could  she 
know  of  her  boy's  perilous  position  ?  The 
recollection,  however,  gave  him  courage.  She 
was  certainly  praying  for  him  earnestly,  lov- 
nigly;  and  her  prayers  would  help  him  what- 
ever came  or  went. 

At  last  he  tried  to  move,  and  found  to  his 
satisfaction  that  he  was  unhurt.  He  rose  to 
liis  feet  and  began  to  make  observations  It 
was  a  strange  scene,  wild  and  desolate;  and 
as  his  eyes  wandered  over  sea  and  rocks,  it 
became  apparent  to  him  that  he  was  close  to 
the  entrance  of  a  cave.  Breathlessly  he  re- 
garded the  spot:  while,  with  a  bounding  of 
the  heart  and  quickening  of  the  pulses,  the 
thought  occurred  to  him  that  here  was  the 
cavern  of  the  forest. 

The  entrance,  cunningly  concealed,  and 
upon  which  he  had  happened  by  the  merest 
chance,  tallied  strangely  with  the  description 
given  by  the  Mad  Hermit,  and  he  had  found 
It  just  when  he  was  risking  his  life  for  his 
perfidious  cousin.  While  scarcely  dwelHn- 
upon  this  last  consideration,  he  was  -.crv  glad 
that  he  had  made  the  discovery  without  tak- 


THE  CAVERN  IN  THE  FOREST. 


145 


ing  any  advantage  of  the  madman's  clue, 
except  in  so  far  that  he  had  bent  his  steps 
toward  the  marsh  on  that  particular  after- 
noon. 

He  suddenly  took  his  courage  in  his  hands 
and  passed  within  the  portals  of  the  cave, 
full  of  a  throbbing  sense  of  victory,  which 
filled  him  with  a  curious  elation.  At  first  he 
entered  merely  a  rocky  vault,  dark,  with  sea- 
stained  walls  and  damp  floor.  As  he  traversed 
the  winding  passages,  however,  the  atmo'- 
phere  grew  more  and  more  dry;  whilst  the 
light  which  streamed  in  here  and  there  from 
crevices  in  the  rocks,  revealed  those  beauties 
which  have  so  often  charmed  adventurous  ex- 
plorers in  the  seabound  caverns  of  granite- 
lined  coasts.  Innumerable  traceries  of  delicate, 
filmy  creepers  and  almost  infinitesimal  flowers 
reminded  Julian  of  the  stories  of  the  fairy 
kingdom  with  which  in  early  c'.iildhood  he 
■-ad  been  familiar.  Here  and  there  a  stalac- 
.',  hanging  from  a  natural  pillar  and  gleani- 

iig  in  the  rays  of  a  setting  sun  which 
•  treamed  from  without,  filled  the  boy  with  a 
feeling  of  awe. 

,  He  wandered  on  and  on,  till  at  last  he  felt 
a  wave  as  of  hot  air  blowing  in  his  face. 


Ri; 


i\ '.  1 


1 


146    Tin-;  LOST  JKWKL  OF  THK  MORTIMKRS. 

This  so  startled  him  that  he  was  tempted  to 
turn  back.     Bracing  up,  however,  he  made 
a   few  steps  forward,  and  l)y  a  sudden  turn 
found  himself  confronted  by  a  large  compart- 
ment, fitted  up  quite  comfortably  as  a  liuman 
habitation.    A  wooden  flooring  had  been  raised 
some  feet  above  the  rock  pavement,  and  was 
covered  with  a  thick  carpet.     Its  coloring  was 
dim  and  obscured  by  time,  but  it  answered 
admirably  its  purpose  of  imparting  v/armth 
and  comfort  to  the  place.     The  walls  were 
fining  about   with   skins   of  lieasts,  some  of 
which  were  uncouth  and   formidable,  others 
glossy  and  shining,  but  all  tending  to  exclude 
the  outer  chill   and  darkness.      Easy-chairs 
stood  about  in  careless  profusion;  there  was 
a  great  table  with  dragon  legs,  upon  which 
stood   a   pair  of  massive  silver  candlesticks 
containing  two  waxen  tapers,  and  provided 
with  snuffers  and  tray/1 

Last  but  not  least,  a  fire  burned  bright  and 
clear  upon  the  hearth,— a  chimney,  or  vent- 
hole,  having  been  arranged  to  emit  the  smoke. 
This  appeared  to  Julian  most  wonderful  of  all, 
and  filled  him  with  a  verj^  whirlwind  of 
thoughts.  He  recalled,  vaguely  and  confused- 
ly, the  vestal  fire  which  the  Roman  maidens 


THE  CAVKRN  IX  THlv  I-ORKST. 


147 


had  forever  kept  alight  in  the  Temple  of 
Vesta;  the  fires  of  the  sun-worshipers;  and  he 
wondered  if  Anselm  Benedict  had  contrived 
in  any  way  whatever  to  have  had  this  flame 
kept  burning  for  over  two  hundred  years. 

lie  stood  staring  at  the  hearth  as  though  he 
had  seen  a  veritable  apparition;  whilst  a  low, 
chuckling  laugh  suddenly  broke  the  stillness 
and  iii^^reased  his  terror.  Pie  did  not  dare  to 
turn  his  head,  and  was  not  aware  that  Nich- 
olas stood  just  behind  him  till  a  deep,  guttural 
voice,  hoarse  as  the  sea,  sounded  on  his  over- 
strained ears. 

"For  the  second  time,"  it  said,  "a  seeker 
has  found  this  cavern." 

The  boy,  turning  slowly,  looked  into  Nich- 
olas' deep-set  eyes  and  saw  a  powerful  emotion 
agitating  the  rugged  features.  Julian  was 
half  relieved,  half  terrified  by  the  sight  of  the 
old  man;  for  just  then  his  identity  seemed 
more  than  ever  unreal.  Together  the  boy  and 
man  stood  looking  into  each  others  face  for 
about  three  minutes,  during  which  Julian 
murmured  a  **Hail  Mary"  and  implored  the 
help  of  his  Mother  in  heaven.  Then  he  ven- 
tured to  speak. 

"Nicholas,"  he  said,   "you  are  sure  that 


Si 


1%. 


I    . 


148    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

this  is  the  very  cavern  in  the  forest  that  we 
have  been  seeking  all  these  days?" 
"Yes!" 

"And  now  may  I  go?"  the  boy  queried 
eagerly. 

"Not  until  sunrise  to-morrow." 

A  shiver  crept  through  Julian's  frame. 

"I  am  afraid  to  stay  here  alone,"  he  said 
frankly. 

"If  you  leave  now,  you  renounce  the  in- 
heritance," Nicholas  replied  brusquely. — 
"Within  the  next  half  hour,  if  you  still  wish 
to  be  free,  strike  with  this  stick  upon  the 
cavern  wall  three  times  in  succession.  For 
that  space  of  time  I  will  hear  and  answer." 

Julian  involuntarily  took  the  curiously 
carved  stick  which  Nicholas  placed  in  his 
hands,  but  before  he  could  utter  another  word 
the  old  man  had  disappeared,  and  the  boy 
stood  alone  in  the  growing  darkness.  The 
light  from  without,  coming  faintly  through 
the  winding  passages,  had  died  away  com- 
pletely; and  the  logs  were  burning  with  a 
steady  glow,  which  -  ave  heat  but  no  longer 
much  light.  Julian  paused  irresolute,  trying 
to  make  up  his  mind  as  to  whether  or  not  he 
should  be  equal  to  the  dread  ordeal  of  spend- 


i.'i^.^ 


THE  CAVERN  IN  THE  FOREST. 


149 


ing  a  night  of  solitude  underground.  He 
thought  upon  his  mother,  who  would  be  so 
disappointed  should  he  fail  in  this  contest; 
he  reflected  upon  the  trials  and  dangers  through 
which  he  had  already  passed;  and  at  last  his 
mind  reverted  to  Anselni  Benedict  and  the 
high  qualities  with  which  youthful  fancy  had 
invested  him.  He  would  never  have  allowed 
himself  to  be  turned  backward  by  cowardly 
fear. 

>  Julian,  by  a  sudden  impulse,  threw  the 
stick  to  the  far  corner  of  the  room.  Neither 
would  he  weakly  yield.  Advancing  to  the 
hearth,  he  was  cheered  to  discover  a  pile  of 
pine  knots  ready  to  replenish  the  fire.  He 
threw  a  few  of  them  upon  the  fire,  and  draw- 
ing forward  an  armchair,  sank  into  its  depths. 
But,  despite  his  brave  resolve,  he  was  far 
from  being  at  ease.  His  eyes  roved  restlessly 
over  the  walls,  which,  fur-covered  as  they 
were,  appeared  spectral  in  the  dimness;  and 
at  the  rocky  ceiling  overhead,  which  seemed 
to  conceal  chaotic  darlcness.  The  firelight 
accentuated  the  blackness  which  settled  down 
upon  the  cave,  save  when,  more  fearful  still, 
there  appeared  above  Julian's  head  phospho- 
rescent gleams — livid,  greenish  white  or  lurid 
flame-colored. 


If 


i'i  ! 

ii ,  - 

si"  -' 

til  . 


f 


w  .■ 


150    TIIK  LOST  JKWKL      F  THE  MORTIMERS. 

Scarce   coinijrelicncling  their  nature,  they 
filled  him  with  terror.     He  rose  and  began  to 
gro])e  his  way  toward  the  table.     All  at  once 
his  hand  came  in  contact  with  a  head.     He 
recoiled  in  horror,  only  to  rest  his  hand  upon 
some  clannny  substance.     In  his  affright  he 
rushed  to  the  hearth,  snatched  thence  a  pine 
knot,  which  he  lit,  thus  providing  an  excel- 
lent torch,  with  which  he  also  enkindled  the 
two  waxen  tapers.     He  then  discovered  that 
the  head  was  that  of  a  leopard  hanging  from 
one  of  the  skins  upon  the  wall,  and  that  the 
clammy  substance  was  the  nose  of  a  stuffed 
silver  fox. 

But  though  the  clear  light  of  the  candles, 
blending  with  the  red  glow  of  the  torch, 
made  every  object  in  the  apartment  plainly 
discernible,  and  so  relieved  his  worst  fears,  he 
suddenly  felt  the  various  surrounding  objects 
intolerable,  and  fancied  that  the  rocky  cave 
without  and  the  foaming  waves  of  the  sea 
would  be  less  unendurable.  He  grasped  his 
torch  firmly  and  set  forth  to  seek  the  mouth 
of  the  cave;  but,  owing  to  a  wrong  turning 
in  some  of  the  winding  passages,  he  suddenly 
found  himself  in  another  large  compartment, 
which,  though  very  different  in  its  appoint- 


THE  CANERN  IN'  THE  FOREST. 


151 


ments,  showed  signs  likewise  of  liumau  habi- 
tation. Rude  chairs,  boxes  and  kegs  stood 
about;  the  ashes  of  a  fire  were  upon  a  hearth; 
while  guns,  cutlasses  and  other  K  familiar 
weapons  were  strewn  in  the  corners  of  this 
rocky  chamber. 

As  Julian  stood  and  gazed,  with  the  roar  of 
the  sea  in  his  ears,  he  realized  with  a  thrill 
that  here,  ready  to  his  hand,  were  some  of 
those  adventures  which  had  fascinated  him  in 
the  pages  of  boys'  books.  This  must  be  the 
abode  of  sea-rovers,  perhaps  of  pirates.  While 
he  familiarized  himself  with  this  idea,  he  was 
gradually  seized  with  a  fear,  not  of  men  but 
of  the  sea — the  terrible  limitless  sea — which 
sounded  so  near,  and  into  which  an  incautious 
step  might  hurl  him.  He  shuddered  as  his 
imagination  conjured  up  sea-monsters,  strange 
uncouth  fishes,  the  broken  hulls  of  wrecked 
vessels,  and  the  motionless  forms  of  drowned 
mariners. 

And  while  he  grew  every  moment  more 
terrified,  the  keel  of  a  boat  grated  upon  the 
rock,  the  sound  becoming  gradually  louder 
and  more  distinct.  Julian  sank,  trembling, 
upon  his  knees,  praying  with  a  fervor  which 
surprised  himself,  as  all  of  a  sudden  the  grat- 


m 


H.-' ' 


V  ,1 


152    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

iiig  noise  gave  place  to  the  rushing  and  tram- 
pling  of  feet,  and  a  dozen  rough  fellows 
rushed  into  the  compartment. 


■  I 
-  i 


Chapter  XL 


Among  Smugglers. 

A  dozen  or  more  rough  men  burst  into  the 
compartment  where  knelt  the  astonished  and 
affrighted  boy.  Some  carried  oars  or  tar- 
paulins, others  bore  kegs,  and  still  others 
were  provided  with  formidable-looking  weap- 
ons similar  to  those  which  stood  about  the 
cave.  They  were  clad  in  red  flannel  shirts, 
trousers  of  coarse  stuff  tucked  into  huge  boots, 
and  slouch  hats  drawn  down  over  their  faces. 
They  all  stood  still  at  sight  of  the  boy,  and 
some  deep  and  terrible  oaths  disturbed  the 
stillness  of  the  cavern.  Their  first  instinct 
was  to  rush  upon  Julian,  but  something  in  his 
appearance  and  attitude  restrained  them.  A 
superstitious  terror  seized  upon  all  excep*  '^ue 
or  two  of  the  most  hardened. 

"It  is  surely  a  sperrit  or  spook!"  whis- 
pered one. 

"0«/,  im  revenant, — one  who  has  come 
back  from  the  dead!'   replied  a  Frenchman; 

(153) 


\t. 


I 


t   '■ 


154    THK  LOST  Ji:\Vl...  Oi    Til  K  MORTIMERS. 

while  the  rest  stood  by,  legardiug  Julian  with 
reyc-reuce  or  curiosity,  r.  icer»   'u  what  to  do. 
Tlie  b()>  Vs  eyes,   disii.  •  'cd    by   fear,   w  re 
raised  in  supplication,    m.  1   lil^   hands  were 
clasped  as  he  fervently    -  ipl*  a  1  the  help  of 
^  our    Heavenly    Mothn       Arwun,,    him,  npoi, 
the  wall,  was  the  gleaiu  of  .-uMjew    ipons; 
and  in  u  semicircle,  le    trdiu.^^  ijina  intently, 
were  the  uncouth  figure..,  who  ^    id    itly  made 
an  habil;!al  resort  of  this  ca\  -ru.      What  iliey 
v.ere,  Juiiau  could   not  iniaj^ine.     Li\  ing  in 
au  inland  town,  he  knew  but  little  c     smiigj.. 
ler.s,   pirates   or  other  water-side  characters; 
and  it  was  only  his  reading  of  more  or  less 
veracious  boys'  books  which  enabled  him  to 
form  a  guess  as  to  their  real  character. 

At  last  the  captain,  who  was  at  once  'he 
shrewdest  and  fiercest  amongst  the  men,  li  iv- 
ing  made  up  his  mind  that  the  boy  w  s  cer- 
tainly of  flesh  and  blood,  approaclud  and 
seized  him  rudely  by  the  shoulder,  i'.ow  of 
the  banc  tarted  forward  as  if  to  prevei.l  .1 
sacrilegious  act,  and  then  paused  in  an  atti- 
tude of  curiosity,  as  if  to  observe  the  outcome. 
"Sav,  who  be  you  and  what  Ix  ou  doin' 
here?"  growled  the  daring  ruffian. 

"I  am  Julian  Robert  Mor  inier,"  siid  the 


Ji. 


AMUN' 

;   SMrOCI.KRS. 

1 55 

boy,  ri-.ug 

aii('   t. 

:ii'" 

nuic 

circle, 

with 

head  erect  and  i.  i^ 

.iu^  c\ci5 

"Mirtiir 

•r!"  .  c! 

ii)C(l  c)   e  . 

aid 

anothei 

un- 

ea.si!^      'I  iic  IK  1!., 

•    was   -111 

-Id 

one    i. 

.    til  - 

neigil>orliO' 

1  iiid 

,  k.  - 

.    o 

4^ 

e  the 

forei^.    1^ 

't   V 

!lOU 

-r, 

a^  ■  'V 

asso- 

(  ated  in  tl;     •  iniiui,      ith 
ai!  atmc^.  lit      of  m\     er> 

Yes,  Afoi     'le'-,"  k  '    n 
am  oue  "f    Ik-     eke  > 

"     lUi    ^     .ill      y,  1 
rad'      '1  ail   '       ble  \ 
was       ^po' 
g^one  M<>ti   ler.'-  ct 
tiie  mont    ." 

But     'e  c   ntair 
pli>'-t.,        -stiou'  1 

'  Seekers. 

'  Boys  wli 


JLU  iiv 


aud 


'an- 


'  m         .     a  des^ 
)er         I  told  you    . 
lie  o'   them  dead-am  - 
dodgiu'  around  after 


ho  was  a  stranger  to  the 
•gedly: 
be    hey?" 
eeki       a  jewel  and  a  for- 
une,"  answ  jlian,  [)roudly. 

♦«  \  rars  t'  n    ,"  liugaed  the  skipper,  bru- 
tallv,  '       ii're     i  pretty  much  the  same  line 
iz       ourselves." 

T  ofucs';  "  piif  in  one  solemn-looV.'rg  fel- 
n'  'he'  speakin'  about  the  kingdom  o' 
Ion,-  u       '        1    that    the    parsons    chin 


„U....«    M 

at-"  ■-;•.. 


ito 


iii 


156  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"Yes,  that's  it!"  cried  the  Frenchman,  ex- 
citedly. "It's  a  saint  come  to  seek  liis  sal- 
vation in  this  cave.  I'm  no  saint,  and  I  don't 
believe  much  in  anything;  but  I  don't  want 
to  hurt  a  saint." 

♦'Be  you  a  saint?"  grunted  the  captain,  not 
very  clear  as  to  what  the  other  meant;  and 
the  question,  despite  his  fear,  sent  Julian  into 
a  gurgling  fit  of  laughter  which  prevented  his 
answering. 

"Best  leave  him  alone  and  make  tracks!" 
cried  one. 

"But  what  about  the  swag?"  queried 
another. 

"If  you  mean  these  things,"  observed  Julian 
politely,  glancing  at  the  kegs,  "they're  quite 
safe  with  me." 

"Safe,  you  bet,"  roared  the  captain,  *«till 
you  bring  the  perlice  about  us!" 

And  he  ripped  out  an  awful  oath,  which 
made  Julian's  blood  mucoid;  but  he  managed 
to  control  his  feelings,  and  answered  hastily: 

"Oh,  no!  The  only  person  that  knows 
about  this  cavern  has  nothing  to  do  with  the 
police.     Nicholas — " 

"Nicholas!"  repeated  the  smugglers,— and 
amongst  some  of  them,  at  least,  there  was 


AMONG  SMUGGLERS. 


157 


evident  trepidation.      *'Do    you    belong    to 
Nicholas?" 

Julian  hesitated  an  instant,  then  said: 

"I  know  him,  and  he's  coming  for  me  to- 
morrow morning." 

There  was  a  chorus  of  oaths  and  impreca- 
tions this  time,  such  as  Julian  had  never 
heard,  and  which  seemed  to  intensify  the  hor- 
ror of  the  scene,  the  semi-darkness  of  the 
cave,  and  the  booming  of  the  waters  without 
upon  the  pebbly  beach.  The  smugglers  were 
rather  alarmed  ^  v  this  intelligence,  and  Julian 
continued  boldly: 

'*I  guess  Nicholas  knows  you're  here,  any- 
way; for  he  seems  to  know  most  everything 
and  to  hear  what  people  say." 
>  This  was  a  chance  shot,  but  it  had  a  marked 
effect. 

"We'd  best  ship  anchor,  messmates," 
grunted  one  old  salt.  *'The  chap's  right: 
Nicholas  knows  whatever's  goin'  on,  and  if 
he  has  biz  to  transact  here,  we'd  better  get 
out,  and  the  quicker  the  better,  swag  or  no 

swag." 

*'Waal,"  said  the  captain,  "Nicholas  or  no 

Nicholas,  this  here  chap's  got  to  swear  secre- 
cy. You  say  Nicholas  knows,  but  how  d'ye 
know  he  knows?" 


!-  ! 


158   THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

This  was  unanswerable,  and  some  of  the 
men  began  to  mutter  amongst  themselves  that 
there  was  no  harm  in  precautions. 

"So.  my  young  cockatoo,"  roared  the  cap- 
tain, "down  on  your  marrowbones,  and  say 
what  I  tell  you!" 

He  forced  Julian  down  upon  his  knees  and 
proceeded  to  fornuilate  so  awful  an  oath  that 
even  some  of  those  hardened  in  crime  actually 
shuddered.  Their  nerves  had  got  a  shock, 
and  they  were  not  qnile  sure  yet  as  to  whether 
or  no  they  had  been  called  upon  to  deal  with 
the  supernatural ;  while  the  mention  of  the 
mysterious  Nicholas  was  far  from  reassuring. 
The  boy's  face  turned  pale  with  horror,  and 
he  threw  back  his  head  with  the  gesture  of 
pride  and  courage  so  familiar  to  all  who  knew 
him. 

"Stop!"  he  cried.  "I  wouldn't  repeat 
those  wicked  words  if  you  were  to  kill  me  on 
the  spot!" 

"I  tole  you  it  was  a  saint,"  raurmure^'  the 
Frenchman;  and  others  secretly  concurred  in 
the  sentiment. 

"You  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  yourself  to 
insult  God  like  that!"  Julian  went  on,  borne 
out  of  himself  by  honest  indignation;  and  as 


AMONG   SMUGGLERS. 


159 


he  tliixs  spoke,  those  in  a  position  to  make  the 
comparison  would  have  noted  a  marked  re- 
semblance in  this  young  descendant  to  Anselm 
Benedict  of  heroic  memory. 

"If  you  won't  swear  as  I  bid  yon,  we'll  find 
means  to  make  you,"  snarled  the  captain, 
with  another  frightful  imprecation.  The 
truth  is,  he  trembled  for  his  authority  with 
hi3  ungovernable  crew,  should  he  permit  him- 
self to  be  bearded  by  this  mere  stripling. 

"You'll  never  find  means  to  make  me 
repeat  that!"  cried  Julian.  "I  always  disliked 
boys  that  said  bad  words  and  blasphemed 
God.  I  never  wanted  to  have  anything  to  do 
with  them.  And  it's  worse  for  grown-up  men 
to  use  such  language." 

The  clear  yoimg  voice  rose  above  the  roar 
of  the  ocean,  giving  its  honest  testimony  there 
in  that  underground  cavern,  surrounded  by 
lawless  and  desperate  men,  far  from  all  human 
succor.  It  was  the  fearlessness  of  a  noble 
nature  protesting  against  what  was  evil,  and 
it  wrung  a  reluctant  tribute  of  admiration 
from  nearly  all  who  heard.  Deep  down  in 
the  soul  of  some  of  those  wretched  men  old 
memo"*"s  stirred,  and  across  many  a  lurid 
scene  *  the  sunshine  of  innocence  bright 


l6o  TT/K  J,OSl  JKWKI,  OF  THK  MORTIMERS. 

and  clear.      The  oldest  amongst  that  fierce 
band  mechanically  drew  a  hand  across  eyes 
which     were     dimmed     by     an    unwonted 
moisture. 
<     Julian  was  unaware,  however,  of  the  effect 
which  his  gallant  bearing  had  produced;  and, 
looking  around  the  circle  of  dark  faces,  he 
found  no  comfort  there.      The  captain  was 
absolute  and  none  dared  openly  to  oppose  him. 
Something  like  a  chill  of  f-ar  crept  into  the 
young  heart.     He  thought  of  his  mother,  and 
of  her  horror  and  consternation  could  she  see 
him  then;  but  he  also  remembered  her  often- 
repeated  injunction  to  have  recourse  in  all 
dangers   to   God   and    His    Blessed    Mother. 
Then  the  memory  of  Anselm  Benedict  suffer- 
ing exile  and   imprisonment   for  the   Faith 
flashed  into  his  mind.     The  bo\ 's  thoughts 
were  brought  back  to  his  awful  surroundings 
by  the  captain's  voice  giving  a  grim  com- 
mand: 

'*To  the  boats,  then;  and  take  him  along 
if  he  won't  swear!" 

The  men  approached  the  boy  with  marked 
reluctance,  and,  securing  his  arms,  led  him 
swiftly  away  through  the  rocky  passages  of 
the  underground  retreat,  till  he  felt  the  salt 


AMONG  SMUGGLERS. 


i6i 


air  and  the  sea  spray  upon  his  cheek,  and 
presently  stood  upon  a  pebbly  beach,  where 
three  or  four  boats  lay  in  waiting.  He  was 
thrust  into  one  of  these,  which  was  soon 
manned  by  the  captain  himself  with  three  or 
four  of  the  crew.  Scarcely  ten  minutes  had 
elapsed  when  the  little  vessel  was  dancing  on 
the  foamy  crest  of  the  waves,  moving  rapidly 
outward.  Despite  the  danger  and  uncertainty 
of  his  position,  Julian's  spirits  began  to  rise. 
The  love  of  adventure  which  in  his  far-off 
ancestor  had  stood  out  side  by  side  with  his 
higher  qualities,  now  stirred  in  his  young 
descendant,  and  he  scarcely  repressed  a  wild 
whoop  of  enjoyment  as  they  followed  their 
course  out  over  the  darkening  sea. 

There  was  a  strong  element  of  fascination 
in  the  situation,  which  appealed  most  power- 
fully to  Julian's  imagination.  Who  were 
these  men  and  whither  were  they  taking  him? 
Why  did  they  seem  to  fear  Nicholas?  With 
these  conjectures  were  mingled  a  host  of  fan- 
cies more  or  less  distinct.  He  pictured  him- 
self afar  off  in  stormy  seas,  shut  up,  perhaps, 
in  the  hold  of  a  vessel;  or  regaining  his  free- 
dom and  sailing  to  distant  islands  in  search 
of  treasure.    This  last  consideration  reminded 


l62    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


J" 
I  I'' 


him  of  the  fact  that  he  was  probably  leaving 
the  jewel  of  the  Mortimers  and  the  phautc^n 
fortune  behind  him;  and  he  recollected  with 
a  pang  t'lat  he  was  likewise  leaving  his  mother 
in  her  h  neliness,  disappointment  and  sorrow. 
She  would  not  even  know  his  fate.  The  only 
consolation  was  that  he  could  not  have  done 
otherwise,  and  she  would  have  been  the  last 
to  advise  him  to  blaspheme  God  in  order  to 
secure  his  own  safety. 

As  they  went  on,  the  sky  became  gradually 
overclouded,  and  the  few  stars  which  had 
appeared  now  vanished  one  by  one;  a  moan- 
ing wind  crept  over  the  surface  of  the  sea, 
stirring  the  wavelets  into  angry  billows.  As 
they  grow  in  volume,  they  beat  the  boats  about 
with  terrific  force,  now  tossing  them  high, 
now  burying  them  in  a  deep  trougii.  It  was 
soon  apparent  that  rough  weather  was  at 
hand,  and  terror  began  to  manifest  itself  upon 
the  faces  of  the  men,  as  they  cast  uneasy 
glances  upon  Julian,  where  he  sat  calmly  in 
their  midst,  his  face  pale  but  steady  and  com- 
posed. For  he  was  too  inexperienced  to  dread 
the  fury  of  the  elements,  and  the  gathering 
storm  had,  to  the  boy's  nature,  all  the  charm 
of  novelty.     He  felt  like  giving  a  wild  halloo 


AMONG  SMUGGLERS. 


163 


as  wave  after  wave  sent  showers  of  spray  over 
every  inmate  of  the  boat,  ai..i  he  had  to  hold 
his  cap  tightly  on  his  head  lest  it  should  be 
blown  away. 

"I  tole  you!"  broke  in  the  Frenchman. — 
"It's  a  saint,  and  the  anger  of  God — the  God 
he  prays  to— is  after  us." 

Most  of  the  others  were  disposed  to  concur 
in  these  sentiments,  especially  when  lurid 
gleams  of  lightning  began  to  part  the  dark 
clouds  to  the  southwest,  and  the  mutterings 
of  thunder  growled  ever  louder  and  louder. 

"And  look  you  there,  skipper!"  cried  one 
of  the  crew,  pointing  to  the  rocky  shore  they 
had  just  left,  which  was  illumined  with  flashes 
of  light  gleaming  amongst  the  rocks, — now 
livid  white,  now  red,  now  opalescent  green. 

"St.  Elmo's  fire!"  exclaimed  another,  who 
in  his  youth  had  gone  down  to  the  .sea  in 
ships  and  had  been  familiar  with  many  sights 
unknown  to  the  offshore  smugglers  and 
wreckers  amongst  whom  he  now  dwelt. 

The  men,  turning,  gazed  with  superstitious 
awe  upon  that  granite-bound  coast,  illumined 
with  strange  lights.  Nor  was  their  uneasi- 
ness lessened  by  the  tongues  of  flame  which 
presently  shot  up  from  some  hidden  recess  of 


l64    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 


r: 


rock,  and  the  meteors,  or  so  it  seemed,  which 
mounted  to  the  very  heavens. 

♦'That  devil  of  a  Nicholas!"  muttered  the 
captain.  *'He  can  do  most  anything  with 
them  meteors  and  things;  and  I  reckon  he 
can  make  fires  blaze  up  jest  as  he  wants 
them  to." 

Julian  felt  a  shiver  pass  over  him.  Nich- 
olas seemed  to  be  surrounded,  indeed,  by  all 
kinds  of  mysteries;  and  as  he  looked  toward 
the  shore,  he  fancied  he  saw  his  form  fantas- 
tically enlarged  in  the  dim  light,  waving 
great  arms. 

•♦The  St.  Elmo  fire,"  croaked  the  travelled 
one,  "means  storm,  it  do,  and  death  and  mis- 
fortune." 

The  men  with  one  accord  begged  of  the 
captain  to  put  into  shore,  and  to  return  Julian 
to  Nicholas  and  the  cavern. 

•'I  say,  we'd  better  heave  the  lubber  over- 
board, if  so  be  he's  the  cause  o'  the  foul 
weather,"  suggested  the  skipper.  "Let 
Nicholas  take  him  ashore  if  he's  grt,  a 
mind  to." 

Happily,  however,  the  predominant  senti- 
ment was  in  favor  of  putting  Julian  ashore, 
and  the  captain  relrrtantly   gave  orders  to 


AMONG  SMUGGLERS. 


165 


that  effect.  Nor  was  the  order  an  easy  one  to 
obey;  for  the  sea  ran  ever  higher  and  higher, 
and  the  roar  of  the  wind  became  more  sullen 
and  ominous;  so  that  Julian  felt  in  his  whole 
frame  the  excitement  of  a  life-and-death- 
struggle  with  the  forces  of  air  and  water. 
The  dogged  silence  of  the  crew  was  broken 
ever  and  anon  by  the  hoarse  shouts  of  the 
captain;  while  the  dazzling  glare  of  the  light- 
ning, the  dashing  of  the  white  waves  about 
the  boat,  with  the  swarthy  faces  of  the  men 
bending  desperately  to  their  oars,  made  a 
picture  which  remained  in  Julian's  mind  for 
many  a  day. 

Sometimes,  when  his  courage  quailed,  he 
quietly  made  the  Sign  of  the  Cross  and  whis- 
pered a  "Hail  Mary"  to  the  Star  of  the  Sea; 
then  nerved  himself  to  emulate  the  endurance 
of  these  rude  seamen,  who  remained  stonily 
silent  save  wht^n  necessary  orders  were  given. 
More  than  one  of  them  noted  with  admiration 
the  resolute  bearing  of  the  boy,  as  he  sat,  a 
slender  figure,  with  folded  arms,  pale  face, 
and  lips  tightly  compressed.  Even  the  skip- 
per was  moved  to  something  like  approval; 
and,  as  he  did  not  share  in  the  belief  of  his 
crew   regarding   Julian's   semi  -  supernatural 


s--.  ' 


l66    THE  LOST  JKWEI.  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

attributes,  he  all  the  more  commended  his 
manliness  and  fortitude,  and  inwardly  cursed 
old  Nicholas,  who  by  his  devices  had  deprived 
him  of  so  promising  a  seaman. 

•'Them  things  he's  sendin'  up  is  signals," 
be  muttered  to  lumself,  while  he  watched 
rocket  after  rocket  soar  upward  into  tne  blue. 
"He's  warnin'  me  to  bring  back  the  young 
un,— that's  what  he's  at;  and  the  sea's  sidin' 
with  him.  I  couldn't  never  git  the  boats  safe 
off  the  coast  in  this  gale." 

So  ruminated  the  skipper,  while  he  man- 
fully handled  his  oars  like  the  rest;  their  hard 
labor  being  at  last  of  some  avail.  By  a  de- 
termined effort  they  sent  the  boats  ashore, 
Julian  being  devoutly  thankful  when  he  heard 
the  grating  of  the  keels  against  the  pebbles. 
He  was  hastily  hustled  ashore  and  through 
the  entrance  of  the  cavern;  but  not  before  he 
had  remarked  that  there  was  no  sign  of  Nich- 
olas, and  that  rockets  and  fires  were  apparent- 
ly going  of  their  own  volition. 

Julian  was  left  in  the  cavern  whence  the 
smugglers  had  withdrawn  him,  and  which 
was  now  dark  and  silent.  He  did  not  remain 
there  long.  He  began  to  wonder  if  the  fire 
still  burned  upon  the  hearth,  and  if  the  tajiers 


AMONG   SMUGGLERS. 


167 


were  still  alight  iu  that  more  comfortable 
apartment  from  which  loneliness  had  tempted 
him.  Moreover,  it  seemed  to  him  that  per- 
haps, after  all,  it  was  there  that  Nicholas  had 
wished  him  to  remain. 

He  groped  his  way  with  some  difficulty 
through  the  rocky   passages,   guided  by    a 
thiead  of  light  which  soon  defpeued  into  a 
glow.    There  blazed  the  fire  upou  the  hearth ; 
and  the  candles  in  the  silver  candlesticks 
burned  with  a  steady  flame,  as  if  only  a  mo- 
ment had  passed  since  he  left  the  spot.     To 
Julian  it  seemed  as  if  this  must  be  the  work 
of  enchantment.     Wet  and  chilled  as  he  was, 
the  warmth  and  light  were  most  welcome;  and 
he  sank  into  an  armchair,  realizing  at  the 
same  time  that  he  was  not  only  very  tired, 
but  faint  and  hungry.    Scarcely  was  he  seated 
when  he  heard  a  slight  graMng  sound;  and, 
turning  his  head,  he  saw  a  species  of  shelf 
projecting  from  a  corner  of  the  rock.     Upon 
it  were  plates  piled  with  haii  sandwiches  and 
plum-cake,  also  a  glass,  an(^  a  small  jug  con- 
taining a  hot  posset  of  milk.  This  was  sweet- 
ened and  spiced,  and  was  highly  agreeable  to 
the  wearied  boy.    After  partaking  abundantly 
of  this  refection  he  settled  himself  in  the  arm- 


II 


168    THK  LOST  JKWEL  OF  Tin;  MORTlMrp-^ 

chair  and  fell  soup  1  asleep.  He  wake  just  as 
a  faint  k' ■'inner  of  dawn  stole  into  the  cavern. 
The  fire  had  at  last  burned  out,  and  o  x\y  the 
two  candles— evidently  renewed— now  relieved 
the  dreariness. 

Julian  felt  rested   and    refreshed,   though 
somewhat  stiff;  and  a  sudden  desire,  born  of 
his  adventurous  nature,  seized  him  to  explore 
the  cavern.     He  took  up  one  of  the  candle- 
sticks and  began  to  look  alxjut.     He  raised 
one  of  the  skins,  and  found  that  it  covered 
but  the  bare  rock ;  another  concealed  what 
seemed  to  be  a  door.  This,  however,  appeared 
to  be  securely  fastened  and  resisted  all  efforts 
to  force  it  open.     He  raised  a  il  Jrd— the  skin 
of  a  tiger,— and  there  was  revealed  a  pair  of 
winding  stairs  leading  he  knew  not  whither 
As  he   stood,   hesitating,  at    their  base,   it 
seemed  to  him  that  he  heard  a  voice,  and  the 
voice  he  could  have  sworn  was  that  of  Sedg- 
wick. * 


Chapter  XII. 

To  THE  Rescue. 

Julian,  hearing  Sedgwick's  voice,  uttered 
a  joyful  exclamation,  calling  out  at  once  in 
answer.  But  his  voice  seemed  to  die  away  in 
the  echoes  of  .le  cavern.  Julian,  more  intent 
just  then  <ni  communicating  with  Sedgwick 
than  on  jnu-suiug  the  windings  of  the  .stairs, 
descended  promptly  into  a  narrow  passage, 
along  which  he  foUowe'  the  soup^I-?  frotn 
above  a.  ^  his  comrade's  piercing  -^lls,  till  at 
lasthcfoi  id  himself  at  the  em  ^o  the 

cavern,  and  present./  stood  upor.  :  <.    ,      ^ly 
bead 

As  he  paused  and  looked  about  .  .,  he 
uotcd  a  peculiar  shelving  rock,  covered  from 
top  to  bottom  with  a  carpet  of  green  moss, 
and  forming  almost  a  sliding  tunnel  fro'n  a 
height  above.  Jul'-  v  rega.  led  this  s. ;  .ge 
descent  closely,  wondering  within  li.ui.,elf 
whether  or  n<>t  it  was  by  means  of  it  that  he 
himself  had  tumbled  downward.     While  he 

(169) 


.J.    : 


170  THE  LOST  JKWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

was  revolving  this  problem  in  his  mind,  he 
heard  a  shuffling  noise,  a  stifled  exclamation, 
and  then  a  heavy  dark  mass  came  rolling 
rapidly  over  the  moss-covered  incline  and 
landed  at  the  boy's  feet.  He  drew  back, 
startled ;  and  the  next  moment  was  almost 
paralyzed  to  discover,  in  the  grey  light  of 
morning,  that  it  was  a  human  body  which 
had  thus  rolled  swiftly  toward  him. 

After  the  first  movement  of  terror  he  drew 
near  to  where  the  figure  lay  motionless,  and 
found   10  his  dismay  that  it  was  Sedgw-ck. 
Grieved   at  the  thought   that   the  comrade 
whom  he  loved  best  might  be  lying  there 
dead,  Julian  bent  over  him,  unfastened  his 
necktie  aiid  the  collar  of  his  shirt.     Then  all 
at  once  he  remembered  his  own  fall,  the  brief 
period  of  unconsciousness  which  had  followed, 
and  hoped  that  things  would  go  no  worse  with 
Sedgwick.     He  brought  a  little  of  the  salt 
water  from  the  shore  in  a  clam  shell  and 
bathed  the  pale  face  and  moistened  the  lips. 
In  ii  very  short  time  the  unconscious  boy 
showed  signs  of  reviving.      He  opened  his 
eyes,  stared  about  him  a  moment,  fixing  be- 
wildered  eyes  upon  Julian's  face.     Then  he 
asked,  tremulously: 


TO  THE  RESCUE. 


171 


•'Am  I — are  we— dead?" 

Something  in  the  question  touched  Julian's 
sense  of  the  ridiculous  and  he  burst  into  a 
hearty  laugh;  Sedgwick,  looking  at  him  a 
moment,  began  to  lav;gh  too.  When  their 
merriment  had  exhausted  itself,  Sedgwick 
exclaimed: 

"So,  curly  pate,  you're  alive,  after  all! 
I  guess  you'll  come  through  anything.  But 
where  on  earth  are  we?" 

«*Get  up  and  look  around,"  said  Julian. 

As  the  first  step  toward  following  this  ad- 
vice, Sedgwick  sat  up;  then,  with  Julian's 
assistance,  he  slowly  rose  to  a  standing  pos- 
ture, stretching  himself,  and  feeling  all  his 
bones  to  be  sure  that  they  were  unbroken. 

"Whatever  this  place  is,"  remarked  Sedg- 
wick, thoughtfully,  "I  guess  I  came  down 
pretty  much  as  you  did.  I  was  poking  in  the 
marsh,  hoping  to  find  you  dead  or  alive,  when 
the  ground  gave  in,  and  here  I  am.  It  looks 
like — like  the  entrance  to  a  cave!" 

"It  is  1  cave,"  replied  Julian, — ''the  cave 
— the  cavern  in  the  forest.     Hurrah!" 

"Hurrah!"  echoed  Sedgwick,  catching  the 
contagious  enthusiasm. 

"And  I'm  as  pleased  as  anything  that  you 
found  it,  too,"  went  on  Julian. 


'i 


172  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OI-  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"But  you  fouud  it  first,"  suggested  Sedjr- 
wick. 

"Oh,  I  don't  think  that  matters,  so  long  as 
you  found  it  on  your  own  hook,  without  any 
help  from  me!"  declared  Julian. 

And  together  they  pressed  forward,  Julian 
eager  to  show,  and  Sedgwick  anxious  to  see 
the  wonders  of  this  mysterious  place.  When 
at  last  they  stood  in  the  largest  room,  l^efore 
that  f  which  seemed  to  burn  forever  upon 
the  hearth,  Sedgwick  said: 

"Well,  these  are  jolly  quarters.  I  wouldn't 
mind  livingr  here  for  the  rest  of  my  days.  But 
what's  to  be  done  now?" 

"Wait  for  Nicholas,  I  suppose,"  Julian 
responded. 

They  had  not  long  to  wait;   for,  as  if  in 
answer  to  the  thought,  Nicholas  stood  sud- 
denly behind  thtni.     He  showed  no  sign  of 
surprise   at   Sedgwick's   appearance,  though 
never  befoie  in  all  his  years  of  service  with 
the   Mortimers   had   a  second  fortune-seeker 
found  the  cavern.     Greatly  to  the  boys'  dis- 
appointmeut-for  fhey  would    have   enjoyed 
J>eing  together  in  the  cavern,— Nicholas  an- 
nounced that  lie  was  about  to  take   Julian 
away.     But   here  came   into  play  the  favor 


*1 


TO  THE  RESCUE. 


173 


with  which  the  old  man  had  from  the  first 
regarded  the  youngest  of  the  competitors. 
When  Julian  appealed  to  him,  declaring  that 
he  would  much  rather  stay  a  second  night  iu 
the  cave  than  return  without  Sedgwick  to  the 
camp,  Nicholas,  after  a  moment's  considera- 
tion, gave  his  consent. 

He  left  them  as  suddenly  as  he  had  come; 
and  the  boys,  disregarding  the  opixjrtunities 
for  further  search  which  the  place  might  pos- 
sibly afford,  set  to  work  to  enjoy  themselves. 
The  morning  hours  wer;  spent  out  upon  the 
shore,  clambering  amongst  the  rocks,  fishing 
with  the  tackle  which  was  plentifully  scat- 
tered about,  a*^  padding  in  a  boat  which 
they  found  on  the  beac  1. 

Of  course  Julian  tolc  his  comrade  all  about 
the  smugglers,  and  took  him  to  explore  their 
corner  of  the  cavern, — which,  by  the  bye, 
looked  rather  forlorn  and  dreary  in  the  morn- 
ing light,  the  empty  kegs  and  even  the  weap- 
ons having  a  poor  and  commonplace  appear- 
ance. Many  a  strange  tale  might  the  lx)ys 
have  heard,  if  the  rocky  walls  could  have 
spoken;  for  it  had  been  a  resort  of  lawless 
men  from  time  immemorial,  and  there  had 
always  been  a  tradition  in  the  neighborhood 


:J 


174  THE  LOST  JKWEL  OF  THK  MORTIMERS. 

Of  the  existence  of  some  secret  hiding-place 
a    some  point  along  the  coast.     Of  afl  this 
of  course,  the  boys  were  ignorant.  * 

,     \  l^"^^"-  ''f  «»  the  wild  tales  we  read 
about  these  sort  of  people  are  tnie?"  Sedg' 

abot  htr ''    ^^'°"^^'^^"">''   -    ^e   ga  Jd 
"I  don't  know,"  replied  Julian;  -but  I  tell 

youwhat,Sedgwick,ifithadn'tUeno    my 
mother's  prayers,  I't  have  been  taken  away 
and  have  seen  far-off  places  and  all  that. " 
But  I  don't  suppose  they  go  very  far  " 

thai  habitable  part  of  the  caver,,  where  Julian 
had  spent  his  first  night;  and  were  ,."nch 
grat,fied  to  find  „p„„  the  sliding  ,„e„,  ^^'^ 

had  so  s,,ddenly  appeared  beforefa  sufetaS 
meal  of  bread  and  cheese.  ■»tantial 

Having  done  fnll  justice  to  the  meal  fl,.„ 
set  about  exploring  the  odd  quarter  ~  4  icT 
Ihcy  found  themselves.  Julian  wanlld  t 
show  h,s  fr,e„d  the  winding  .stairs  upo,  ^hich 
he  had  stood  when  he  first  heard  Sedg,WcLt 
vo,ce;  but  for  a  long  ti.ne  the  search  foMhem 
seemed  absolutely  fruitless. 


TO  THE  RESCUE. 


175 


"I  could  almost  swear  it  was  behind  tliat 
leopard  skin,"  Julian  said,  discomfited;  but 
the  raising  of  that  furry  covering  disclosed 
only  the  solid  rock. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  at  last 
they  came  upon  the  missing  stairway  quite 
unexpectedly.  They  mounted  it  with  eager 
haste,  and  came  to  a  turning  that  led  along  a 
passageway  they  knew  not  whither.  This 
they  unhesitatingly  followed;  coming  after  a 
time  to  another  winding  stairs,  which  they 
mounted  also,  and  pressed  eagerly  along  a 
second  passageway.  Thus  they  continued  for 
some  time — now  going  upward,  now  pressing 
forward,  led  by  occasional  gleams  of  light 
from  crevices  in  the  rock,  till  at  last  they  be- 
thought themselves  of  turning  backward.  It 
was  then  they  realized,  with  sudden  dread, 
that  they  were  in  absolute  darkness.  They 
stumbled  on,  however;  but,  instead  of  going 
downward,  continued  on  and  on  upon  the 
same  level.  It  finally  occurred  to  them  that 
they  were  lost  in  a  species  of  labyrinth,  where 
the  darkness  grew  more  and  more  intense, 
and  from  which  they  knew  no  way  of  exit. 
But  as  they  stood  and  shivered,  another 
thought  flashed  upon  Julian  which  set  his 
pulses  beating  hard. 


!    ,, 

»■  i 

J; 


IIJ 


176  THK  U)ST  JKWKL  OK  THK  MORTIMKRS. 

^    "Perhaps,"     he   whispered    to    Sedg^ -vk 
this  passageway  leads  lo  the  hidden  roon.."' 
I  don  t  believe  it  leads  anywhere!"  cried 

darkness  and  h.s  cheek  glowed  with  a  certain 

"Suppose  we  pnshon?"  said  Julian,  eager- 
,      ,^  Iv'"""  '  ^''  ^""'^  altogether;  or  if  we 
should   Nicholas  will  get  us  out  so^'newavT" 
-for  Julian  had  come  to  have  unlimited  con- 
fidence  in  that  mysterious  personage. 
Here  goes,  then!"  cried  Sedgwick 
And  together  the  boys  made  a  rush  forward 
as  swjft  y  as  the  darkness  would  i,ermif  Teel- 

J"g  their  way  by  rocky  ledges,  Lnig^w 

h     way,  now  that.     At  last  they  disco^vered 

that  they  were  at  the  head  of  a  stairs  leading 

downward,   which  caused  them   to  go   ve  v 

cT:e^:^/^?'^^'^p^"^"---^"tLfir.^ 

of  .se^eral  similar  ones,  so  that  they  were  often 

on  tejx,nu  of  slipping  and  tun  Jingprli^: 
itately  to  the  ground.  ^ 

Once  they  were  brought  to  a  halt  by  what 
sounded  hke  a  mocking  langh.      Th  s  wa 
b^od-curdling,   coming   throifgh   the     leL 
and  darkness,  and  re-echoed  from  passagewav 


TO  THK  UKSCUE. 


177 


to  passageway.     Suddenly,  they  perceived  a 
gleam  of  light,  and  pressed  toward  it  with 
beating  hearts.    They  were  approaching  some 
place,  they  knew  not  where.     Their  expecta- 
tion  rose   to   fever  heat.      The  gleam  as  of 
candles  was  mingled  with  the  red  glow  of  a 
fire.     What  were  they  about  to  see?     What 
mysterious  vision  was  to  appear  before  their 
straining  eyes?     They  came  to  a  halt  all  at 
once,  and  saw  before  them  the  very  cavern 
from  which  they  had  started.     They  stood 
still  an  instant,  and  then  burst  into  a  peal  of 
laughter  such  as  those  rocky  depths  had  never 
heard  before.      They   sank   into   easy-chairs 
before  the  fire,  and  utterly  exhausted  by  their 
late  efforts,  fell  fast  asleep. 

When  they  woke  they  were  disappointed  to 
find  that  they  had  slept  the  whole  night 
through,  that  it  was  daybreak  and  Nicholas 
was  standing  before  them,  ready  to  lead  them 
back  to  camp. 

"Why,  we  haven't  seen  half  the  place  yet!" 
remarked  Julian.  "And  perhaps  if  we  had 
a  little  more  time  we  might  discover  some- 
thing." 

But  there  was  no  relenting  this  time  in  the 
old  man's  wooden  face;  and  the  boys,  having 


i^ 


w 


f    i 


f| 


fi 


178  THl-:  LOST  JKWKI.  Ol'  TifE  MORTIMERS. 

first  regaled  themselves  with  a  fresh  supply  of 
bread  and  cheese,  were  forced  to  take  leave 
ot  that  fascinating  spot  and  follow  whither 
their  grim  guide  led. 

Nicholas  conducted   them    through    some 

devious  paths  known  to  himself,  and  along 

lie  shore  beneath  the  cliff.    The  sea  stretched 

before  the  eager  eyes  of  the  two  lads;  it  was 

j  pearly  white,  or  flushed  with  the  pink  of  the 

dawning,  and  catching  quivering  arrows  of 

gold  from  the  sky  in  the  east.     The  tide  v  as 

just  coming  in. 

They  reached  camp  just  as  the  sun  was  high 
;"  ')'  ^'";7.«-  They  found  Jake  sitting  at 
the  door  of  his  tent.  He  cowered  in  a  ver>. 
paroxysm  of  fright  wheu  he  first  caught  sight 

0  Julian,  whom  he  had  supposed  to  be  dead. 
But  Juhan's  cheery  voice  very  soon  dispelled 
tlie  illusion. 

I.,nfr"°'-'M'-','.'""'^'''""-     "Yous« 

1  m  alive  and  kicking!" 

''You  showod  him  a  short  cut  to  thecaveru, 
Jaky,     put  ni  Sedgwick,  maliciously. 

The  look  of  terror  upon  Jacob's  ill-favored 
couuteuauce  gave  place  to  an  expression  of 
rage  and  hate,  just  as  Nicholas  interposed 
mtimatiug  in  his  monosyllabic  fashion  thai 


TO  THK  RESCUE. 


179 


no  inforinatiou  was  to  be  given  regarding  the 
cavern.  He  also  made  the  adventurous  four 
understand  that,  though  Jake  and  Wat  would 
be  obliged  to  finish  their  two  weeks  in  the 
forest  if  they  desired  to  continue  the  quest, 
Julian  and  Sedgwick  were  free  to  return  to 
the  mansion  at  Pine  Bluff,  and  there  await  the 
announcement  of  the  third  and  last  test. 

Wat,  who  had  testified  genuine  delight  at 
the  return  of  his  favorite  cousin,  began  to 
protest  that  he  knew  he  had  no  chance  of 
finding  the  cavern,  and  wanted  only  to  give 
up  the  contest  and  get  out  of  the  horrible 
forest.  He  declared  that  he  would  return  to 
the  house  with  Sedgwick  and  Julian. 

Jake  was  divided  between  cupidity  and 
cowardice.  He  still  hoped  that  by  some  ex- 
ercise of  his  wits  he  might  discover  the  cav- 
ern, but  he  was  dismayed  at  the  thought  of 
being  left  any  longer  without  the  protection 
and  support  of  Julian  and  Sedgwick. 

"Look  here,"  oHserved  Julian,  "what  do 
you  say,  Sedgwick,  to  seeing  the  two  weeks 
out  in  the  forest?" 

'•Hurrah!"  cried  Sedgwick.  "It  would  be 
twice  as  much  fun  as  waiting  at  the  house." 

Nicholas  made  no  objection,  and  this  point 


i8o  THK  LOST  ji;\vi:i.  or  thi    Mortimers. 

was  speedily  settled  to  the  satisfaction  .f  all. 
Everyone   was  hungry   by    tl.is   time,   an.l 
Julian   went   off   foraging.     He  remenihered 
the  little  house  near  the  cliff;   and  having 
made  his  way  there,  found  a  tiny  woman  I^nt 
nearly  double.     Her  house  wa  j  as  small  as 
herself  and  scrupulously  clean.     She  looked 
\xp  with  her  bleared  eyes  into  Julian's  bright 
face,  as  he  stoo'1,  cap  in  hand,  before  her; 
and  readily  gave  him  the  milk  and  butter  for 
which  he  begged,  with  a  few  freshly  baked 
scones   thrown  in.      When  Julian  offered  to 
pay,  jingling  his  money  proudly  in  his  pocket, 
the  old  woman  altogether  refused  to  allow 
Imn,  patting  him  kindly  on  the  shoulder  and 
bidding  him  come  again  whenever  he  wanted 
milk  from  her  cow. 

Julian  ran  home  in  triumph  to  the  camp; 
and  the  breakfast  was  a  splendid  affair,  after 
all,  spread  out  on  the  green  sward  before  the 
tents,  while  the  birds  sang  overhead  and  but- 
terflies flitted  up  and  down  the  forest  paths. 


Chapter  XIII. 

Julian  Meets  with  Misfortune. 

That  evening  Julian  took  out  his  treasured 
volume  recording  the  life  and  times  of  Anselm 
Benedict  the  heroic.      He  threw  himself  at 
full-length   upon   the    grass,    losing   himself 
completely   in   that   fascinating  chronicle  of 
past   scenes  and    personages,   to   which  his 
youthful  fancy  lent  an  added  glow.     He  read 
of  that  gallant,  hopeless  rally  in  the  town  of 
Worcester,  when  the  Second  Charles  led  on 
his  followers  against  Fleetwood's  Cromwellian 
troopers.     There,  in  Friar  Street,  with  pike 
and  smallsword,  Anselm  Benedict  Mortimer, 
with  scores  of  other  British  gentlemen — Eng- 
lish, Irish  and  Highland,— contested  foot  to 
foot  and  hand  to  hand  the  advance  of  the 
Covenanters.      "It  was  a  most  furious  con- 
test,"  read  Julian;    "none  that  was  whole 
ceasing  to  fight,  but  assisting  their  comrades 
so  long  as  their  strength  served;  ever  esteem- 
ing more  of  their  credit  than  of  their  safety." 
(i8i) 


MIOtOCOTY   RESOIUTION   TEST   CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


1.0 


Li 


■  3.2 

1*0 


2.5 
2.2 


2.0 
1.8 


M  ^'^'PLIED  IIVMGE     Ir 

^^  1653   East   Main   Streel 

r.S  Rochester,   Ne»   rork        14609       USA 

^S  (716)   482  -  0300  -  Phone 

^S  ("*)   288  -  5989  -  Fa« 


M  ♦! 


182  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

They  fought  with  desperate  valor,  and  the 
name  of  Ansehn  Benedict  appeared  in  several 
dispatches  of  the  day;  and  it  was  he  again 
who,  while  the  King  was  escaping  by  St 
Martin's  Gate  to  the  north,  at  the  momeni 
when  all  was  lost  made  a  counter-movement 
with  the  Earl  of  Cleveland  and  a  few  other 
gentlemen  and  retainers,  to  draw  upon  them 
the  fury  of  the  Cromwellians  and  cover  the 
Kmg's  retreat. 

Numberless  were  the  feats  recorded  of  hero- 
ism,  of  reckless  daring,_all  inspired  by  un- 
swerving  loyalty   to  God  and  country;   all 
showing  that  far-off  ancestor  to  have  been  at 
once   chivalric  and  romantic,  valorous,  and 
above  all  religious.     They  delighted  the  soul 
of  his  enthusiastic,  hero-worshiping  descend- 
ant under  American  fores,  treer;  but  even  to 
his    immature    judgment    they  seemed   less 
glorious  than  that  after-struggle,  when  the 
man  of  mature  years  deliberately  gave  up 
fame  and  fortune  and  country  -for  that  one 
true  Catholic  and  Apostolic  Faith,  which  is 
o  a  surety  more  precious  to  a  man  than  goods 
of  fortune,  or  even  life  itself."      It  was  a 
splendid,  inspiring  tale-the  flight,  capture, 
fine,  imprisonment  in  a  dungeon,  and  finally 


JULIAN  MEETS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.      183 

the  death  sentence, — all  of  which  were  unable 
to  shake  the  superb  courage  and  constancy  of 
the  confessor  of  Christ.  The  capital  penalty 
was  avoided  by  a  hairbreadth  escape;  and 
Anselm  Benedict  took  the  path  of  exile  over 
the  ocean  wastes  and  settled  at  last  in  the 
New  England  colonies,  where  toleration  of  a 
man's  convictions  was  but  slowly  raising  its 
head. 

Sometimes,  in  his  enthusiasm,  Julian  read 
aloud  a  paragraph  or  two  from  those  annals 
of  the  past;  but  it  must  be  owned  that  they 
called  forth  only  a  half-hearted  response  from 
his  auditors.  Jake  openly  sneered;  Wat  could 
not  understand,  and  kept  putting  exasperating 
questions,  which  proved  that  he  had  not  the 
remotest  idea  of  what  the  book  was  about. 
Sedgwick  was  a  simple,  honest  lad,  suscept- 
ible to  good  impressions,  and  willing  to  do 
right  according  to  his  lights ;  but  he  was 
totally  without  ideals,  detested  history,  and 
had  made  his  heroes  chiefly  of  successful 
athletes  or  daring  aeronauts. 

That  which  did  attract  and  hold  Jake's 
attention  was  the  outer  covering  of  the  volume, 
and  the  precious  gems  with  which  it  was  in- 
crusted.    His  eyes  fairly  sparkled  with  cupid- 


Jt  1 
u  ■ 


184  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

ity  at  their  color  and  lustre,  especially  when 
Julian,  in  the  simplicity  of  his  heart,  began 
to  dilate  upon  the  great  value  of  the  book. 
A  plan  was  slowly  forming  in  the  boy's  evil 
mind,  by  which  iie  could  at  once  injure  Julian, 
whom  he  hated,  and  secure  a  substantial  ad- 
vantage for  himself.     He  argued  that  if  he 
could  obtain  possession  of  the  book,  it  would 
not  be  by  any  means  stealing.      It  seemed 
little  likely  now  that  he  could  ever  discover 
the  jewel  and  the  hidden  room.     Should  he 
by  a  lucky  chance  do  so,  the  book  would  be 
but  a  small  item  in  the  list  of  valuables  then 
falling  to  his  share;  while,  in  the  contrary 
event,  it  was  only  fair  that  he,  a  genuine 
descendant  of  the  Mortimers,  should  secure 
this  small  portion  of  their  wealth.    He,  there- 
fore, laid  his  plans  carefully,  and  determined 
in  the  first  place  to  discover  where  his  unsus- 
pecting  cousin    kept    hidden    the    precious 
chronicle. 

•'You'd  better  be  careful  of  that  book  of 
fairy-tales,"  sneered  Jake,  with  an  oblique 
look  at  Julian  from  out  his  dark  eyes  and  a 
sharpening  of  his  hatchet-face,  "or  you'll  have 
old  man  Mortimer  and  half  a  dozen  other 
blokes  after  you." 


JULIAN  MEETS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.      185 

♦♦Oh,  I  am  careful!"  said  honest  Julian, 
impulsively.  "I  keep  it  under  my  pillow  at 
night,  and  in  the  daytime  I  hide  it  in  a  hole 
in  the  ground  between  the  tent  poles,  with 
leaves  and  a  rug  over  it." 

Something  in  Jake's  expression  as  he  lis- 
tened struck  Sedgwick,  and  he  hastily  inter- 
rupted Julian,  but  too  late  to  produce  the 
effect  he  intended.  Jake,  having  secured  the 
desired  information,  skilfully  changed  the 
subject.  But  long  after  they  had  all  sought 
the  shelter  of  their  tents,  Sedgwick  pondered 
upon  the  singular  expression  of  John  Jacob's 
face,  and  feared  that  it  portended  no  good  to 
Julian. 

Next  day  was  cheerless  and  cold,  with  a 
drizzling  rain  which  finally  intensified  into  a 
downpour.  The  boys,  shivering  in  their 
tents,  experienced  to  the  full  the  discomforts 
of  life  in  the  woods,  under  leaden  skies,  when 
the  dull  drip,  uiip,  drip,  from  the  sodden 
leaves  upon  the  path  seemed  interminably 
weary  and  monotonous. 

"I  guess  if  it  had  rained  much,  we'd  have 
given  up  the  whole  job  long  ago,"  observed 
Sedgwick,  poking  his  head  in  between  the 
curtains  of  Julian's  tent. 


I)  ' 


^A' 


s 


,# 


l86  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

Julian  looked  up  brightly.  He  had  almost 
forgotten  the  matter  in  the  fascinating  story 
of  Anselm  Benedict's  life  and  doings. 

"I  suppose  it  is  dismal,"  responded  Julian. 
I  wonder  if  there's  any  place  where  we  could 
make  a  fire  i"' 

Sedgwick's  face  brightened. 
"Let's  see!"  he  cried,  looking  out  upon 
he  landscape,  which  was  not  very  promising. 
Perhaps  in  that  sheltered  corner  over  there 
Hardly  any  rain  has  got  through;   and  it 
couldn't  be  dangerous,  because  the  trees  are 
so  wet." 

Julian,  having  waited  long  enough  to  con- 
ceal his  treasured  volume,  went  forth  with 
his  cousin  to  investigate.     They  brought  out 
some  dry  wood  from  the  tent,  and  presently 
bad  the  satisfaction  of  kindling  a  blazing  fire 
on  the  spot  indicated  by  Sea^wick.    Wat  came 
forth  from  his  quarters  in  great  delight  at  th> 
fire,  which  he  hoped  would  prevent  him  from 
taking  cold.     Jake,  too,  strolled  out,  in  lazy 
enjoyment  of  the  crackling  logs;  though  he 
did  not  vouchsafe  one  word  of  commendation 
to  the  kiudlers  of  the  blaze. 

When   the  twilight   fell,  ghostly  shadows 
began  to  creep  in  and  out  among  the  trees- 


u 


JULIAN  MEETS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.       1 87 

a  bat,  attracted  by  the  blaze,  came  fr  'th  from 
obscurity  and  circled  about ;  the  katydids 
droned  in  the  foliage;  and  a  wind  stirring  up 
from  the  west  dispersed  the  clouds  and  drove 
away  the  rain.  The  boys  beguiled  the  time 
with  stirring  stories  of  daring  and  adventure; 
Julian  drawing  some  of  the  wondrous  anec- 
dotes from  the  life  of  their  common  ancestor, 
the  chivalric  Anselm  Benedict.  At  last  it 
became  time  to  think  of  supper,  and  it  was 
found  that  water  was  needed  from  the  spring. 
This  occasioned  some  surprise,  as  a  large  tin 
pail  h  1  been  filled  after  breakfast;  and  only 
one  of  the  four — the  enterprising  Jake — knew 
that  it  had  been  purposely  spilled.  The  only 
thing  to  be  done  was  to  fetch  more,  and 
Sedgwick  and  Julian  set  oa  to  replenish  the 
pail.  This  was  precisely  what  Jake  had  ex- 
pected, for  he  had  gone  with  unusual  alacrity 
to  procure  what  had  been  needed  for  the 
morning. 

Once  the  two  comrades  had  disappeared, 
Wat  devoted  himself  to  the  care  of  the  fire, 
and  Jake  began  to  stroll  carelessly  about, 
edging  ever  toward  the  tents.  Loudly  pro- 
claiming that  he  was  going  into  his  own  lent 
for  some  cooking  utensil,  he  remained  there 


! 


I88  THE  LOST  JKWKL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

but  a  moment.     He  stood  at  the  door  looking 
forth   into   the   darkness.      The  damp,  cool 
smell  of  the  woods,  heavy  with  the  delicious 
fragrance  of  the  forest  depths,  smote  upon  his 
nostrils.     The  drip,  drip  of  the  rain  from  the 
trees,   like   noiseless   footsteps,  startled   him 
back  each  time  that  he  attempted  to  move. 
The  birds  were  all  still  in  their  nests;  the 
hush  of  night  lay  over  the  forest;  and  the 
shadows  of  the  woods,  intensified  by  the  glare 
of  the  firelight,  concealed  his  movements  from 
Wat,  who  was  intent  on  stirring  up  the  fire 
and  heard  only  the  crackling  of  the  logs. 

Hence  it  was  an  easy  matter  for  the  catlike 
Jake  to  slip  from  his  own  into  Julian's  tent, 
where  everything  lay  around  in  a  kind  of 
cheerful  disorder,— for  Julian  used  to  say  that 
he  needed  his  mother  to  tidy  up.     Once  on 
the  scene  o.'  -r        ,  emplated  theft,  the  un- 
scrupulous b  _ ,      .    .j.y  found  his  way  to  where 
the  precious  vomnie  lay   buried.      He  had 
found  out  the  exact  spot  from  Julian,  and  so 
lost   not   a   moment   in  securing  his  booty. 
Thus  it  was  that  while  merry-hearted  Julian, 
in   rain  coat  and  rough  hat,  was  swinging 
along  the  dripping  paths  in  company  with 
honest  Sedgwick,  a  treacherous  act  against 
him  was  being  done. 


JULIAN  MEUTS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.       1 89 

Jake,    having    secured    the    book,    crept 
stealthily  back  to  his  own  tent,  panting  and 
breathless  as  though  he  had  been  a  long  dis- 
tance, with  staring  eyes  and  burning  cheeks. 
It  seemed  to  him  as  if  he  were  an  hour  in 
passing  from  tent  to  tent.     Once  safe  back  in 
his  own  quarters,  he  hugged  the  precious 
volume  to  his  breast  with  fiendish  glee,  and 
held  it  close  to  the  open  door  that  he  might 
see  the  reflection  of  the  firelight  in  the  glow- 
ing gems  upon  the  cover.     It  seemed  to  the 
excited  fancy  of  the  wretched  lad  that  they 
glowed  with  a  baleful  light,  and  were  living 
and  conscious  of  his  act. 

All  at  once  Wat  called  out  to  him: 
"I  say,  Jake,  I  think  you  might  help  to 
keep  up  this  fire!" 

Jake  started  as  if  he  had  been  stung.  The 
voice  seemed  to  be  that  of  an  accuser  charg- 
ing him  with  the  theft.  In  his  fright  he 
almost  dropped  the  book;  but,  presently  rally- 
ing, he  hid  it  in  an  obscure  corner.  Hasten- 
ing forth,  he  almost  rushed  into  the  arms  of 
Sedgwick,  who  fixed  a  penetrating  look  upon 
his  agitated  face,  just  then  revealed  by  the 

firelight. 

"Halloo,  Jakey!    You  look  as  if  you  had 

seen  a  spook!" 


190  TIIK  LOST  JEWKL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"You  wouldn't  be  so  chilled  if  you  bad  been 
carrying  water  for  a  mile  or  so,"  Sedgwick 
responded,  after  which  there  was  a  diversion 

td  cT';      °"-"^  '^''°"'   '^^^"'^  P^t^toes 
an    cobs  of  corn  m  the  ashes,  and  boiling  the 

kettle  to  make  a  pot  of  liot  coffee.     For  all 

except  Jake  of  the  .uilty  conscience,  this  was 

ad  1  to  the  hilanty  that  the  coffee-strainer  had 
got  lost,  so  that  the  coffee  was  a  trifle  muddy 
and  some  of  the  ears  of  com  were  a  little 
scorched. 

Whe.  Julian  went  to  his  tent  that  night, 
e  thought  lie  would  like  to  read  a  page  of 
the  fascniating  memoirs.     He  carefully  un- 
covered the  hiding-place  and  put  his  hand 
nito  the  hole.     His  fingers  came  in  contact 
only  with  tlie  paper  which   he  had  placed 
between  the  volume  and  the  damp  earth.    He 
groped  about  feverishly:  no  volume  was  there. 
The  cold  sweat  broke  out  upon  his  forehead, 
he  tremb  ed  from  head  to  foot.     He  snatched 
a  candle  from  its  place  in  a  tin  sconce  on  the 
wall,  and  sent  its  rays  into  the  hole:  there  was 
nothing  to  be  seen. 


JULIAN  MKF.TS  WITH  lalSFORTUNE.       I9I 

He  threw   liimself  upon   the   ground  and 
burst  into  tears.    In  all  the  t:        to  which  he 
had  been  subjected   during   iiic   weeks  that 
were  past,  he  had  never  given  way  before. 
Many  things  conspired  to  make  the  loss  of  th'' 
memoirs  peculiarly  bitter:  tlie  trust  which  his 
grandfather  had  reix)sed  in  him,  the  inestim- 
able value  of  the  book,  and  probably  his  own 
disgrace      For  it  was  not  at  all  unlikely  that 
his  carelessness,   even   if  no    harsher   name 
were  put  upon  it,  would  disqualify  him  from 
pursuing  the  quest.     He  rose  and  stole  out 
through  the  darkness,  toward  Sedgwick's  tent. 
The  stars  were  shining  brightly  after  the  rain, 
and  some  night-bird  called  afar  in  the  dis- 
tance.      Sedgwick     was    sleeping    soundly. 
Julian  made  no  effort  to  arouse  him;  but,  re- 
turning to  his  own  quarters,  remained  awake, 
so  that  the  dawn  foun     Inm  white-faced  and 

haggard  from  tb    trouble  oi  his  thoughts. 
A  second  titv     he  pe^    ed  ii 

tent.     This  time  the  skepei 

and  finally  opened  his  e\  > 

drowsily  upon  Julian,  uniu  ^ 

friend's   face   attracted   pxes 

attention.     He  sat  up,  exclai 
"I  say,  curly  pate,  what's  i 


Sedgwick' i 

red  uneasily 

le  fixed  them 

Miiiv,    ir  bis 
nUering 


192  THK  LOST  JF.WKL  OF  TIIK  MOKTIMERb. 


u 


my 


"O    Sedgwick,"    answered    Julian, 
heart's  broken:  the  book  is  gone!" 

"The  book!  '  eclioed  Sedgwick,  who,  not 
so  interested  in  the  memoirs  as  his  cousin, 
did  not  remember  at  fi/st  what  book  was 
meant. 

"Anselm  Benedict's  booi.,"  answered  Jul- 
ian, with  a  sob  in  liis  voice  such  as  his  cousin 
had  never  heard  from  him  before. 

With  a  sudden  realization  c'  what  had 
happened  and  what  it  meant  to  Julian,  Sedg- 
wick started  to  his  feet.  He  made  a  hasty 
toilet  and  accompanied  his  cousin  back  to  the 
latter's  tent,  where  together  the  two  boys 
explored  the  hiding-place  once  more,  but 
in  vain. 

♦'That  villain  Jake!"  cried  Sedgwick,  with 
a  sudden  flash  of  intuition.  "He  has  a  hand 
in  it,  or  I'm  mistaken." 

Julian,  however,  refused  to  entertain  this 
notion,  or  even  so  much  as  to  question  the 
guilty  boy.  Sedgwick  had  no  such  scrup'.  , 
and  put  John  Jacob  through  a  tolerably 
searching  investigation.  Jake  had  planned 
out  his  part  by  this  time,  and  acted  it  thor- 
oughly. He  affected  the  utmost  indifference 
about  the  whole  matter,  declaring  that  it  was 


JULIAN  MEETS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.       I93 

altogether  Julian's  affair  if  lie  chose  to  bring 
valuable  books  from  the  library  and  then 
report  that  they  were  lost.  He  threw  out 
this  last  suggestion  with  so  meaning  a  glance 
and  so  evident  an  insinuation  that  he  very 
Uf  .       •  ^revoked  Sedgwick  to  violence. 

j  ,  a,  however,  had  but  one  thought — to 
scv  iiis  grandfather  as  soon  as  possible  and 
make  known  the  loss.  He  S2t  forth  through 
the  forest  at  sunrise.  The  woods,  fresh  from 
the  rain,  gave  forth  delightful  odors;  and  the 
leaves  in  their  renewed  verdure  were  hung 
with  raindrops,  glittering  like  jewels  in  thg, 
morning  light.  But  Julian's  heart  was  so 
heavy  that  he  had  no  eyes  for  the  beauties  of 
nature.  He  sped  on  and  on,  and  then  had  to 
wait  an  hour  or  more  for  the  appearance  of 
his  grandfather. 

Mr.  Mortimer  was  an  early  riser,  and  took 
a  constitutional  on  the  lawn  every  morning 
at  seven.  On  this  occasion  he  scarcely  stepped 
forth  when  he  saw  Julian  running  toward 
him.  The  boy,  in  his  impetuous  truthfulness, 
was  only  too  eager  to  acquaint  his  grandfather 
with  the  loss  he  had  sustained.  He  ran 
swiftly  across  the  lawn  and  reached  his  ^jand- 
father's  side,  panting  and  breathless;  under- 


H 


w 


P'  ■; 


I, 


it  _ 


^.    t' 


194  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

going  one  of  those  agonizing  moments  more 
common  in  early  youth  than  is  generally  sup- 
posed.    Sedgwick  had  advised  him  to  spare 
himself  this  ordeal,  and  allow  Nicholas,  in 
his  mysterious  fashion,  to  acquaint  Mr.  Mor- 
timer with   the  theft.      But   this   course  of 
action  did  not  commend  itself  to  the  boy's 
manly  fearlessness,  nor  to  his  sense  of  honor 
and  justice.     He  alone  was  responsible  and 
he  alone  must  take  all  the  consequences. 
^      Mr.  Mortimer  looked  down  upon  him  with 
genuine  kindliness.    He  was  growing  attached 
to  this  fine-hearted  lad,  who  alone  of  all  who 
had  run  the  traditional  race  had  seemed  to 
be  imbued  with  the  highest  qualities  of  the 
dead-and-gone  ancestor.      His  natural   good 
feeling  and  kindness  of  heart,  which  had  been 
embittered  by   his    own    failure,    reasserted 
themselves,    more    or    less,    under   Julian's 
genial  influence,  as  the  sun  shines  upon  the 
hoar-frost  of  the  valley  and  melts  it  away. 
He  fully  appreciated  his  grandson's  indom- 
itable spirit,  high  courage  and  thorough-going 
honesty.      He   told   himself  that    he   might 
trust  this  boy  in  any  emergency  and  would 
never  meet  with  disappointment. 

"Grandfather,"    said    Julian,    his    voice 


'  (' 


JULIAN  MEETS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.       I95 

choked  with  a  very  passion  of  grief  and  ex- 
citement, "I  have  lost  the  book, — Anselm 
Benedict's  book!" 

"What!"  cried  the  grandfather,  with  an 
expression  of  such  grief  and  disgust  as  con- 
firmed Julian's  worst  forebodings. 

"It  was  lost,  stolen  or  something  from  my 
tent  in  the  forest!" 

"Stolen  from  your  tent  in  the  forest!" 
echoed  Mr.  Mortimer,  with  a  sneering  con- 
tempt which  brought  out  all  that  was  most 
repulsive  in  a  countenance  ordinarily  hand- 
some and  marked  by  a  certain  philosophic 
calm.  "And  pray  who  was  in  the  forest  but 
yourselves,  and  perhaps  a  wild  animal  or  two? 
Who  could  have  taken  it?" 

"I  don't  know,— oh,  I  don't  know!"  cried 
Julian.  "And  I'd  rather  have  cut  off  my 
right  hand  than  have  it  happen." 

"A  right  hand  would  not  be  of  much  use 
in  this  emergency,"  observed  Mr.  Mortimer 
in  his  coldest  voice;  "so  that  I  would  advise 
you,  my  young  man,  to  hasten  back  to  the 
forest  and  continue  searching  until  the  vol- 
ume is  found.  The  expense  of  replacing  it 
would  ruin  your  mother;  and  I  think,  though 
I  am  not  yet  sure,  that  the  occurrence  will 


!•  t 


l?li-i 


196  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

prevent  your  competing  any  further  for  the 
great  prize." 

Now,  it  flashed  into  Julian's  mind  that  this 
was  rather  unjust,  considering  that  Mr.  Mor- 
timer had  ahnost  forced  tl.e  book  upon  him, 
hinting  in  high  good-humor  that  he  would 
no  doubt  be  able  to  pay  for  it,  if  lost,  out  of 
the  fortune  accruing  from  the  ruby.  But  he 
quickly  dismissed  the  thought,  being  too  gen- 
erous to  shift  the  blame  from  his  own  shoul- 
ders to  those  of  any  other. 

"Have  you  reason  to  suspect  any  one?" 
inquired  the  grandfather. 

**No,  sir,  I  h  d  it  hidden  away." 

"Were  the  other  lads  acquainted  with  the 
hiding-place?" 

"Yes;  but,  of  course,  none  of  them  would 
take  it.  I  wonder  if  an  animal  could  have 
been  the  thief?" 

"Animal  indeed!"  retorted  the  grandfather, 
who  was  furiously  angry  at  the  whole  affair; 
the  more  so  as  he  felt  that  he  had  been  to 
blame  for  intrusting  so  precious  a  volume  to 
a  mere  boy.  "Get  out  of  my  sight,  in  any 
case;  and  don't  come  near  me  till  you  have 
some  news  of  the  volume!"  the  angry  old 
gentleman  concluded. 


JULIAN  MEETS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.      I<)7 

As  poor  Julian  fled  back  to  the  forest,  his 
heart  bursting  with  new  and  painful  emotions, 
feeling  convinced  that  no  boy  had  ever  been 
so  miserable  before,  he  suddenly  encountered 
Nicholas  lurking  in  the  shadow  of  the  trees, 
like  some  gnome  of  the  woods,  and  forthwith 
blurted  out  the  story  of  his  misfortunes. 
Nicholas'  wooden  face  remained  perfectly 
undisturbed  by  the  recital;  nor  did  he  give 
Julian  any  sign  of  encouragement,  save  only 
a  slight  pat  on  the  shoulder.  Then  he  pointed 
toward  the  forest  depths,  saying  laconically, 
t«Go!" — and  Julian  was  left  alone. 

He  ran  on  and  on  till  he  reached  the  camp, 
with  a  faint  hope  springing  up  in  his  heart, 
even  as  the  leaves  raised  their  heads  after 
being  beaten  down  by  the  storm.     But  the 
day  wore  to  afternoon  and  there  was  no  trace 
whatever  of  the  missing  volume.    Both  Julian 
and  Sedgwick,  who  had  energetically  pursued 
the  search,  were  utterly  discouraged.     All  at 
once,  however,  just    as   the  shadows  were 
purpling  the  west,  a  great  outcry  was  heard 
in  the  trees  adjoining  the  camp.     Presently 
Nicholas  emerged,  grasping  Jake  by  the  back 
of  the  neck  with  one  hand  and  holding  up 
the  missing  volume  with  the  other. 


198  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


n- 


it! 


"You  let  me  go,  you  old  sneak!  You  stole 
the  book  yourself  and  try  to  pretend  that 
I  did  it." 

Nicholas  took  not  the  slightest  notice  oi 
Jake's  exclamations,  nor  of  his  frantic 
struggles  to  get  free.  He  hurried  the  miser- 
able boy  into  the  very  centre  of  the  camp 
where  Julian  sat  in  dejection,  with  'W  at  hov- 
ering about,  eager  to  offer  any  consolation  in 
his  power;  and  Sedgwick  pacing  up  and 
down,  his  honest  face  showing  genuine 
concern. 

Nicholas  shook  off  J^e^s  if  he  had  been 
an  obnoxious  reptile,  J^i  tdd  out  the  book 
to  Julian.  The  lattefcould  scarcely  believe 
that  Jp  really  saw  the  precious  volume  again. 
But  Hs  pleasure  at  -iti  return  was  swallowed 
up  ij  horror,  disguiB|?and  indignation  at  his 
coin's  treacherou*  conduct.  He  could  not 
tnist  himself  to  speak;  however  Sedgwick 
made  up  for  the  silence,  expressing  his  feel- 
ings in  forcible  terms. 

But  here  Nicholas  interposed,  and  made 
them  understand  that  matters  must  go  on  as 
before.  So  Jake,  darkbrowed  and  sullen,  was 
left  unmolested;  though  needless  to  say  that 
his  presence  there,  after  what  had  happened, 


I   i! 


J^ 


JULIAN  MEETS  WITH  MISFORTUNE.      1 99 

threw  a  constraint  over  the  remaining  days  in 
the  forest.  He  tried  hard  to  treat  the  matter 
as  a  joke,  and  declared  that  he  meant  only  to 
play  a  trick  on  Julian,  and  would  have 
restored  the  book  in  the  end.  This  explana- 
tion Julian,  with  his  customary  generosity, 
was  finally  led  to  believe,  and  was  on  terms 
of  comparative  friendliness  with  Jake  during 
the  final  residence  in  camp. 


I'  v 


!;!;• 


!-! 


k) 


Chapter  XIV. 
Before  the  Third  Test. 

The  time  was  drawing  near  for  the  boys  to 
leave  the  forest,  when  one  evening  Sedgwick 
and  Julian  were  caught,  at  some  distance  from 
the  camp,  in  a  wild  storm  of  wind  and  rain, 
with  hailstones  big  as  pebbles  falling  upon 
the  paths  and  rattling  against  the  boughs. 
The  wind  raged  with  such  fury  as  to  shake  to 
their  roots  even  the  tallest  trees. 

The  boys,  who  were  in  a  remote  part  of  the 
forest,  struggled  along  manfully  for  some 
time,  accepting  the  buffets  of  the  storm  with 
cheerful  indifference.  But  just  as  they  began 
to  grow  exhausted,  being  thoroughly  drenched 
besides,  they  caught  sight  of  a  singular- 
looking  structure  formed  of  the  boughs  of 
trees,  which  were  piled  one  upon  the  other  in 
a  most  fantastic  manner;  but,  cunningly 
enough,  were  set  over  against  a  rock  which 
had  been  carried  thither  by  some  strange  con- 
vulsion of  nature.  This  served  as  a  bulwark 
(200) 


^ 


ur 


BEFORE  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


20 1 


to  protect  the  frail  dwelling  against  the  fury 
of  the  elements.  By  a  common  impulse,  tue 
boys  made  for  this  shelter,  which  they  sup- 
posed to  be  deserted. 

Scarcely   had  they  crossed  the  threshold 
when  they  saw  their  mistake.     The  hut  gave 
every  sign  of  being  inhabited,  though  all  in 
the  interior  was  in  wild  confusion.     The  dis- 
ordered fancy  of  a  madman  was  clear  in  the 
ini  )ngruous  mingling  of  all  sorts  of  oddities. 
Bits  of  colored  cotton,  torn  prints,  p^rips  of 
cloth,   grasses,   snake  skins,  —  all   sorts  of 
trivialities  which  had  caught  the  wand'-ing 
fancy  of  the  Mad  Hermit,  were  dis'  .^yed 
upon  the  walls  or  hanging  from  the  roof,  and 
interlaced  with  festoons  of  cobwebs,  the  growth 
apparently  of  many  years. 

Upon  a  couch  of  leaves  and  straw  in  one 
corner  lay  the  weird  figure  of  the  Mad  Her- 
mit, and  it  was  evid'-nt  even  to  the  inex- 
perienced eyes  of  the  two  observers  that 
Death  had  claimed  him.  He  lay  in  solemn 
majesty,  his  cloak  gathered  about  him,  his 
sncw-white  beard  gleaming  out  of  the  still- 
ness, his  restless  feet  and  wandering  mind 
stilled  forever. 

The  boys,  awestricken,   bent  their  heads 

reverently. 


S>  I 


•i  ■ 


I 


,  I 


(■    ; 


202  THK  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTLMERS. 

"Let  US  say  a  prayer,"  whispered  Julian; 
and  together  they  knelt  in  that  strangely 
impressive  scene. 

The  storm  grew   momentarily  wilder  and 
wilder,  so  that  it  seemed  to  threaten  the  hut 
with  destruction,— though   it,   like    its    late 
occupant,  had  w  .athered  many  a  storm.    The 
lightning  flashed  through  the  loosely  placed 
boughs  which  formed  the  walls,  and  across 
the  calm  face  of  the  dead.     As  the  boys  re- 
cited   the    Be    Profundis,    Julian    suddenly 
caught  sight  of  a  small  picture  of  the  Mother 
of  Sorrows  stuck  upon  the  wall.     In  the  wild 
disorder  of  the  place,  it  was  as  a  beacon  upon  i, 
some  stormy  sea,  the  symbol  of  peace  and-     ^ 
mercy,  the  sign  of  at  least  a  long-past  faith. 
For  the  Mortimers  had  always  been  Catholics, 
and  even  the  most  degenerate  among  them 
had  preserved  the  name  and  some  outward 
practice  of  that  religion  which  was  synon- 
ymous with   what  was   most   honorable   in 
their  race. 

"Let  us  say  the  Beads  for  him,"  observed 
Julian. 

And  so,  amidst  the  bowlings  of  the  tem- 
pest, the  two  boys  in  some  sort  performed  a 
Requiem   over  the   mortal   remains  of    that 


Ji 


BEFORE  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


ao3 


singular  being  who  had  so  lon^  inhabited 
these  desert  places,  and  who,  by  his  strange 
antics  and  weird  appearance,  had  no  doubt 
contributed  to  the  wild  tales  which  were  in 
constant  circulation  through  the  country  con- 
cerning the  forest  of  Pine  Bluff.  Their  only 
further  care  in  the  matter  was  to  acquaint 
Nicholas  with  the  death  of  the  Hermit;  and 
in  due  course  his  remains,  very  quietly,  but 
with  honor,  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  vault 
sacred  to  the  Mortimers. 

N.  When  the  pleasant  ^wo  weeks  in  the  forestx 
had  come  to  an  end,  the  boys  returned  to  the 
mansion  at  Pine  Bluff.     There  was  the  sun 
shining  on  the  roof  of  the  dwelling;  there| 
were  the  blue  pigeons  sunning  themselves  in 
its  rays  and  walking  majestically  to  and  fro; 
there  was  the  lawn,  with  its  tall  trees  shelter- 
iug  colonies  of  rooks  that  settled  there  in  the 
springtime;   and  there  was  the  cliff    over- 
hanging the  sea  and  bordered  with   thick 
pines.     It  seemed  to  Julian  as  if  all  things 
had  grown  very  familiar  and  he  had  always 
known  them,  and  yet  that  it  was  long  since 
he  had  seen  them;  and  Sedgwick  was  vaguely 
impressed  with  the  same  feeling. 

♦'It  is  a  jolly  old  place!"  he  said,  looking 


a04  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

about  with  an  air  of  satisfaction.  ''And  if 
it's  ever  yours,  curly  pa  i,  I  am  coming  here 
to  stay  with  you." 

••Just  as  likely  it  will  be  your  own,"  an- 
swered Julian,  turning  a  somersault  out  of 
pure  joyousness. 

He  instantly  straightened  himself  to  atten- 
tion, liowever,  as  his  grandfather  appeared  at 
the  library  window.  Forgetting  the  last 
interview,  which  had  been  decidedly  un- 
pleasant, Julian  ran  forward  to  meet  him  with 
perfect  freedom  and  cordiality.  This  was  the 
very  best  course  he  could  have  taken,  had  he 

planned  it  deliberately;   for  it  relieved  Mr. 
Mortimer  from  the  awkwardness  of  making  a 

first  overture  after  his  late  displeasure. 

••Good  morning,  grandfather!"  Julian  cried 

out.     ••I'm  glad  to  see  you  again." 

••And  to  have  got  out  of  the  enchanted 

forest,  I  suppose?"  said  the  old  gentleman; 

but  there  was  a  faint  glow  of  pleasure  on  his 

pale  cheek,  and  a  sparkle  in  his  eye  at  the 

hearty  and  spontaneous  greeting. 

•'Oh,   I  liked  being  in    the    forest    well 

enough!"  Julian  answered;  "though  we  got 

lots  of  frights  while  we  were  there.     But  it's 

nice  being  back,  and  we're  all  dying  to  know 

about  the  third  test." 


'I  ', 


m^ 


BEFORE  THK  THIRD  TEST. 


205 


♦•You  won't  have  very  long  to  wait  for 
that,"  said  Mr.  Mortimer.  ♦'Immediately 
after  luncheon  I  shall  make  the  announce- 
ment, and  in  about  half  an  hour  you  will  hear 
the  gong  sound." 

He  then  withdrew  to  the  library,  glad  as 
he  always  was  to  return  to  his  books;  and  the 
boys,  left  to  themselves,  ran  and  jumped  and 
wrestled,  climbing  tall  trees  and  startling  the 
rooks  into  angry  clamor.  Julian  set  out  to 
run  a  race  with  a  chipmunk  that  was  skipping 
along  the  hedge  on  the  garden  side  of  the 
lawn.  But  he  soon  gave  it  up,  joining  in  the 
shouts  of  laughter  with  which  Sedgwick  and 
Wat  greeted  his  endeavor. 

After  luncheon  came  the  summons  whi( 
was  to  lead  them  for  the  last  time  into  th 
presence  of  Anselm  Benedict. 

So  far  Mr.  Mortimer  had  given  no  sigi'  s 
to  whether  or  no  he  had  heard  of  J  s 
latest  misdemeanor  with  regard  to  the  l-ok. 
He  had  not  referred  in  any  way  to  the  loss  or 
recovery  of  the  precious  volume.  Jake  thought 
he  had  regained  his  confidence,  and  felt  as- 
sured that  Mr.  Mortimer  had  accepted  the 
excuse  he  himself  had  invented— that  his  ab- 
straction of  the  book  was  merely  a  joke.     He 


^1^- 


206  THK  LOST  Jl.;\vi;i.  OK  rilE  MORTIMKRS. 

was  oppressed  by  no  special  uneasiness,  there- 
fore,  when  the  grandfather  turned  the  key 
and  ushered  the  four  into  the  presence  of 
Ansehu  Benedict.  Julian  felt  a  keener  ad- 
miration Mian  ever  for  their  remarkable 
ancestor,  ...,  ;  was  more  eager  than  ever  to 
study  every  detail  of  the  face  and  figure  of 
that  splendid  soldier,  who  had  left  so  strong 
an  impress  on  the  annals  of  his  time. 

Mr.  Mortimer  surveyed  the  two  boys  for  a 
moment  or  two  in  silence;  then  he  touched 
the  spring,  revealing  once  more  the  now 
familiar  portrait.  He  turned  toward  the  pic- 
tured figure  on  the  wall,  no  longer  in  mockery, 
but  with  a  subtle  deference  and  a  more  sym- 
pathetic understanding  than  ever  before;  and 
for  this  change  Julian,  though  he  knew  it  not, 
was  responsible. 

^  ^'Anselm  Benedict,"  he  said,  ''for  the  last 
time  your  four  descendants  are  assembled  in 
your  presence;  and  it  is  my  painful  duty  to 
decla-e  the  absolute  unworthiness  of  one 
amongst  them,  either  to  appear  here,  or  to 
take  any  further  part  in  a  contest  which  is 
prima.-:;/ governed,  at  least,  by  the  rules  of 
gentlemanly  conduct." 
Jake's  face  grew  livid  during  this  address, 


BEFORK  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


207 


for  his  conscience  told  him  that  to  him  alone 

it  could  'pply. 

♦'Whatever  may  have  been  the  faults  and 
follies  of  the  Mortimers,"  the  old  man  went 
on,  his  voice  growing  colder  and  colder  as  he 
proceeded— "their  lack   of    ambition,    their 
supineness,  or  their  want  of  energy,— they 
were  at  least  gentlemen.     One  here  present 
has  failed  most  conspi(         'y  in  those  quali- 
ties which  even  *'  >rest  amongst  them 
have  retained.     Tb      /ore,  I  think  I  am  only 
voicing  your  sentiujnts,  Anselm  Benedict, 
and  following  the  rules  you  have  laid  down 
for  this  contest,  when  I  request  John  Jacob 
to  withdraw  from  this  room  and  from  this 
house,  as  well  as  from  any  further  part  in  the 
search  for  the  lost  jewel  of  the  Mortimers—" 
♦'Grandfather!"  cried  Julian,  eagerly  inter- 
rupting, "if  you  mean  that  affair  about  the 
book,  Jake  explained!     It  is  all  right,— it 
was  a  mistake,— he  did  it  for  a  joke." 

Mr.  Mortimer  turned  a  rebuking  eye— in 

which  there  was  yet  a  moisture— upon  the 

eager  pleader. 

♦'Please,    grandfather,"    persisted  Julian, 

"let  us  all  go  on  together  to  the  end!     I'd 

hate  to  have  Jake  leave  now,— we've  gone 

so  far!'* 


I 


■■ 


if    i 


IH 


til 


•!! 


208  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

"What  you  ask   is  impossible,"  declared 
tbe   grandfather.      "He   has  violated  every 

,    rule  laid  down  for  the  contest.    He  has  shown 
neither  courage  nor  fortitude  nor  resolution. 

.  He  has  proved  himself  sadly  deficient  in  truth , 
in  honor,  in  fine  feeling;  and  has  put  a  climax 
to  his  inglorious  career  by  an  act  not  only  of 
dishonesty,  but  of  malice.  For  with  the 
recovered  volume  was  found  a  calculation  of 
the  amount  which  the  book  would  probably 
bring,  and  of  the  injury  which  its  loss  would 
be  to  you. ' ' 

If  ever  there  was  the  picture  of  a  beaten 
hound,  it  was  Jake  being  hurried  from  the 
room  and  from  the  arena  of  possible  success 
by  the  inexorable  Nicholas.  Julian  felt  a 
certain  pity  for  him  and  a  regret  for  the  late 
occurrence. 

•'If  I  hadn't  taken  the  book  to  the  forest," 
he  whispered  to  Sedgwick,  "this  would  never 
have  happened." 

"The  book  be  blowed!"  answered  Sedg- 
wick. "It  wasn't  that  alone:  it  was  every- 
thing. He's  the  meanest  hound— that  Jake, 
—the  most  cowardly  beggar  I  ever  came 
across. ' ' 

Here  Mr.  Mortimer  imposed  silence  upon 


BEFORE  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


209 


them  by  beginning  to  consider  the  case  of 

Wat.  , 

•'Walter  Worthington",  he  said,  "has  not  ^ 

discovered  the  cavern  as  yet,  it  is  true;  nor 
has  he  shown  conspicuously  those  quahties  ^ 
which  tend  toward  success.      But,  if  he  so 
desires,  and  by  consent  of  the  other  com-  ^ 
petitors,   he  may  undertake  the  third  test,   » 
even  though  the  chance  of  success  is  dimin- 
ished, as  we  are  informed,  by  his  failure  to 
discover  the  cavern  in  the  forest. 

Walter  was  beginning  to  protest  that  it  was 
no  use,  that  he  had  not  strength  enough  for 
any  more  ordeals;  but  Julian  nudged  him  to 
be  silent  and  wait  events;  and  Mr.  Mortimer 
likewise  advised  him  to  hear  what  the  third 
test  might  be  before  finally  deciding. 

The  old  gentleman  then  began  to  read  from 
that  formidable  document,  yellow  with  age, 
the  final  test,  which  was  to  decide  whether  or 
no  any  of  the  competitors  should  discover 
the  hidden  room  and  the  lost  jewel  of  the 

Mortimers. 

♦'But  one  fortune-seeker  has  ever  got  so  far 
in  the  quest,"  declared  the  old  man,  "as  to 
discover  the  whereabouts  of  the  cavern.  He 
belonged  to  a  generation  far  removed  from 


i 


I-! ' 


Et.i 


1  ! 


ili 


2IO  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

ours,  and  his  after-fate  is  not  recorded,  save 
that  he  failed  in  the  third  test.  It  is  one  of 
great  difficulty,  requiring  courage,  endurance, 
and  ingenuity." 

The  boys  waited  breathlessly  for  an  ex- 
planation of  this  third  trial  which  was  finally 
to  try  their  mettle.  They  were  awed  and 
subdued  by  the  expulsion  of  Jake  from 
amongst  them, — ♦hough  Sedgwick,  at  least, 
was  convinced  of  its  justice;  and  Julian's 
mind  began  to  wander  off  to  the  succession  of 
brilliant  episodes  with  which  the  soldierly 
figure  on  the  wall  was  now  associated.  He 
was  recalled  by  the  voice  of  Mr.  Mortimer 
explaining  the  nature  of  the  test,  and  detail- 
ing in  a  very  precise  manner  what  was  ex- 
pected of  the  competitors. 
,  o  Each  boy  was  to  be  imprisoned  for  a  night 
in  a  species  of  dark  hole  or  underground  pas- 
sage in  the  earth.  Thence  he  was  free  to 
make  his  way  out,  if  he  could;  and  a  tradition 
had  always  existed  that  that  way  led  to  the 
finding  of  the  room  and  the  treasure.  But  no 
one  had  ever  found  them.  Those  even  who 
had  persevered  in  remaining  the  night — for 
to  this  an  alternative  was  given  by  Nicholas 
appearing  before  midnight  and  asking  if  they 


BEFORK  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


211 


wished  to  be  free — had  been  found  at  sunrise 
eager  to  be  free,  and  willing  to  relinquish  all 
prospect  of  success  rather  than  remain  longer 
in  those  gruesome  quarters. 

"If",  said  Mr.    Mortimer,  when  he  had 
finished  the  details  of  the  last  ordeal,  "no  one 
has  ever  succeeded  in  this  final  test,  only  one 
ever  got  so  far  as  to  enter  upon  it.    Therefore 
you  should   feel   encouraged,  my  boys,  and 
resolutely  push  on  to  what  may  be  a  glorious 
ending, — that  is,  if  the  whole  idea  of  hidden 
room  and  lost  jewel  be  not  fables  woven  in 
the  active  brain  of  Anselm  Benedict;  some 
splendid   mirage    which    he    shows    to    the 
voyagers  upon  the  ocean  of  life,  to  encourage 
them  to  proceed  with  energy,  constancy,  and 
endurance.     And  yet,"   he  went  on  after  a 
pause,  suddenly  addressing  the  portrait,  "why 
should  I  thus  discredit  your  utterances,  since 
one  at  least  of  your  descendants  has  shown 
that   simple   truth   and   goodness  may  carry 
their  possessor  far  on  the  road  to  success?" 

His  eyes  took  on  a  far-reaching,  dreamy 
expression,  as  though  he  were  revolving  some 
problem  in  his  mind.  It  seemed  as  if  the 
antagonism  which  had  existed  between  him 
and  the  brilliant  if  somewhat  visionary  an- 


rt' 


[I'JFpt^    i 


212   THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

cestor  were  removed,  and  that  this  old  and 
disillusioned  man  began  to  feel  the  same  bond 
of  union  which  linked  Julian's  glowing  youth 
with  ihe  past. 

*'Ncvv,  my  boys,  concluded  Mr.  Mortimer, 
"I  will  not  pretend  to  advise  you  as  to 
whether  or  no  you  should  relinquish  all  hope 
of  further  success,  or  enter  upon  an  ordeal 
which  few  would  have  cared  to  undergo.  It 
is  full,  no  doubt,  of  difficulties,  hardships  and 
terrors,  real  or  imaginary." 

Julian,  as  the  war  horse  at  the  sound  of 
battle,  pricked  up  his  ears,  figuratively;  and, 
throwing  back  his  head,  declared  that  he 
would  like  to  make  this  final  trial. 

"If  we  fail,  you  see,  grandfather,  we  shall 
have  tried  everything;  and  don't  you  think 
that's  better?" 

The  grandfather  bowed  his  head  as  in  a 
sort  of  deference;  and  Sedgwick,  in  his  blunt 
wav,  declared  that  he  would  stand  by  Julian. 
But  Wat  most  emphatically  decided  to  give  up 
any  chance  of  success  rather  than  go  down 
in  any  dark  hole. 

♦'If  I  were  strong,  it  would  be  different," 
he  said;  "but  I  might  ruin  my  health,  and 
my  father  and  mother  told  me  that  I  mustn't 
do  anything  of  that  kind." 


BEFORE  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


213 


This  being  settled,  Walter  Worthington  was 
ruled  out  of  the  competition;  and  he  a:cepted 
that  result  quite  cheerfully,  glad  to  be  re-, 
lieved  of  the  necessity  for  any  further  effort. 
He  was  almost  certain  that  he  could  not  have  \ 
succeeded  in  any   case,  and  had  persuaded^ 
himself  that  there  was  in  reality  neither  room 
nor  jewel,  but  only  some  kind  of  fable  to  try 
the  mettle  of  the  boys ;   and  with  him  his 
health  and  personal  comfort  had  always  been 
of  first  importance. 
/     So  Sedgwick  and  Julian,  being  the  only 
ones  left  in  the  arena,  grew  more  and  more 
excited,  as  they  paced  the  lawn  together  in 
eager  talk.    Julian  was  full  of  bright  hope- 
fuhiess,  which  infected  Sedgwick,  who  was 
in  the  main  a  sturdy  and  courageous  lad 

Suddenly  they  came  upon  Jake  lying  full- 
length  amongst  the  brushwood  on  the  cliff, 
in  very  much  the  same  spot  where  he  had 
poked  amongst  the  leaves  on  the  morning 
following  the  arrival  of  the  young  adventurers 
at  the  mansion  of  Pine  Bluff.  Then  he  had 
been  boastful,  arrogant,  confident  of  success; 
now  he  was  fairly  gnashing  his  teeth  and 
clutching  at  the  weeds  growing  about  him, 
in  a  very  agony  of  impotent  rage  and  despair. 


214  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


Julian  pulled  Sedgwick  by  the  sleeve  and 
endeavored,  out  of  respect  for  the  miserable 
boy's  feeliugs,  to  steal  away  unnoticed;  but 
Jake,  chancing  to  catch  sight  of  them,  burst 
into  a  torrent  of  abuse  against  all  concerned 
and  especially  against  Julian.  The  language 
was  such  that  Julian  clapped  his  hands  to  his 
ears  and  ran  away;  while  only  contemptuous 
pity  for  his  cousin's  wretched  plight  deterred 
Sedgwick  from  administering  personal  chas- 
tisement. 

Jake's  disappointment,  which  his  natural 
avarice  and  greed  of  gaii  would  have  ren- 
dered sufficiently  keen,  was  intensified  by  the 
knowledge  of  what  awaited  him  at  home. 
His  mother  had  long  been  dead.  His  father 
was  a  needy  adventurer,  who  had  failed  iu 
the  first  effort  to  discover  the  Mortimer  jewel, 
had  been  embittered  deeply  by  the  failure, 
and  had  endeavored  to  eke  out  a  scanty  in- 
come by  the  exercise  of  his  wits.  While 
building  on  the  chance  of  his  son's  success, 
he  had  failed  to  implant  in  him  one  of  those 
sterling  principles  which  alone  could  aid  him 
in  the  great  competition.  Yet  none  the  less 
bitter  would  be  his  disappointment,  and  none 
the  less  envenomed  his  fury  against  his  un- 
fortunate sou. 


BEFORE  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


215 


Sedgwick  and  Julian  had  only  one  more 
glimpse  of  Jake's  hatchet  face,  sullen  and 
morose,  with  wildly  staring  eyes;  and  tli's 
was  from  out  the  carriage  window  as  he  was 
being  driven  to  the  station,  in  company  with 

Wat. 

-    The  latter  was  in  high  good  humor,  de- 
lighted at  the  prospect  of  getting  home.     He 
knew  that  he  would  be  well  received,  and  that 
his  indulgent  parents  would  prefer  the  loss  of 
a  problematic  fortune  to  the  chance  of  their 
only  child  endangering  health  and  strength 
in  a  contest  which  he  knew  to  be  beyond  him. 
In  fact,  they  had  permitted  him  to  enter  into 
the  competition  only  because  he  had  been 
pleased  with  the  novelty  of  the  idea,  and  had 
set  his  heart  upon  seeking  the  hidden  room 
and  the  lost  jewel.     The  parents  were  m 
easy  circumstances,  the  mother  having  brought 
a  substantial  inheritance  to  her  husband;  and 
they  were  not  ambitious.     Walter  had,  there- 
fore, said  a  warm  and  cordial  ««Good-bye"  to 
his  comrades,  particularly  Julian,  to  whom  he 
had  become  much  attached. 

«'We  must  see  each  other  often  when  all 
this  is  over,"  he  had  declared.  «'If  there  is 
a  fortune,  I  hope  you'll  win  it,  Julian;  though 


2l6  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 


!  - 


r^ 


I' 


•^f 


\'  '-fi 


Sedgwick  is  almost  as  near,  and  deserves  it 
next  best.  I'm  afraid,  tliougli,  that  grand- 
father is  right,  and  th.at  there  isn't  any  for- 
tune at  all." 

So  Wat's  last  greeting  was  an  effusive  wav- 
ing of  his  hand  from  the  carriage  window  to 
the  two  upon  the  lawn,  and  the  renewed  hope 
that  he  would  see  them  soon  again,  when  the 
test  was  over. 

"Oh,  I  v.ish  it  were  well  over!"  said  Sedg- 
wick, staring  after  the  carriage.  "But  I'm 
like  you,  Julian:  I  want  to  stick  fast  to  the 
end.  If  you  can  do  it,  so  can  I;  and  I  know 
my  people  would  rather  I  held  out  to  the  end, 
even  if  I  failed  at  last.  My  father  said  he 
always  regretted  not  having  gone  in  for  the 
third  test.  Anyway,  I  wouldn't  want  to  leave 
you,  curly  pate,  lose  or  win." 

*'I  hope  we'll  both  wi.i!"  cried  Julian, 
heartily.  "And  then  I  suppose  they'll  let  us 
divide  the  fortune;  and  perhaps  we  can  give 
some  to  poor  old  Wat,  and  unlucky  Jake 
too." 

"I  wouldn't  give  that  Jake  a  brass  far- 
thing," responded  Sedgwick,  full  of  honest 
indignation. 

"Well,  we  may  not  get  anything  to  keep 


,1 


BEFORi:  THK  THIRD  XEST.  217 

or  give  away,"  said  Julian;  "so  we  needn't 
bother  yet.  Come  on,— I'll  race  you  to  the 
woods  over  there." 

V  Off  they  went  as  if  neither  of  them  had  a 
care  on  his  mind,  or  a  thought  of  that  trying 
ordeal  which  awaited  him.     Fresh  air,  sun- 
shine, high  spirits,  a  clean  conscience  were 
all  with  them,  and  they  were  richer  than  any 
prince.      But   when   the  chill   of   the   early 
autumn  evening  came  into  the  air,  and  mists 
stole  into  the  glowing  sunset  of  the  western 
sky,  their  spirits  became  subdued,  and  they 
began  td  consider  more  gravely  the  curious 
experience  before  them.     Sedgwick,  by  right 
of  age,  was  to  precede  his  cousin,  as  on  for- 
mer occasions.      Should  he  succeed,  Julian 
was  to  undergo  a  similar  ordeal,  without  hav- 
ing communicated  with  the  other,  snd  so  run 
an  equal  chance  of  securing  the  great  prize.  ^^ 
♦♦Suppose  we  say   the  Beads  together?" 
suggested  Julian.     "We  always  said  them  at 
college,  and  I  read  in  the  book  that  Anselm 
Benedict  carried  his  rosary  with  him  all  the 
time,  and  said  it  on  the  eve  of  battle  or  when- 
ever he  was  exposed  to  any  danger." 

Sedgwick   readily   agreed   to    join   in   the 
prayers.     For  he  had  plenty  of  faith,  though 


2l8   THK  LOST  JlCWia  OP  THE  MORTIMERS. 


ill  his  Upbringing  it  had  been  kept  iii  the 
background;  and  until  he  met  Julian,  he  had 
fancied  that  it  was  something  of  which  a  boy 
was  more  or  less  ashamed.  Sedgwick  had 
remarked  this  to  Wat  one  day: 

*'0f  all  the  fellows  I  have  ever  met,  Julian's 
about  the  only  one  who  doesn't  seem  ashamed 
of  being  good — of  saying  prayers  or  anything 
like  that." 

And  this  being  repeated  to  Julian,  he  had 
set  his  head  on  one  side,  as  was  his  habit 
when  thinking,  and  wondered  why  any  fellow 
should  be  ashamed  of  sajing  his  prayers  or 
trying  to  be  good. 

So  the  two  boys  paced  the  lawn,  in  tiie 
shad  )w  of  the  tall  trees  which  for  generations 
had  shaded  the  mansion  at  Pine  Bluff,  and 
mingled  their  young  voices  with  the  sigh  of 
the  wind  in  the  pines  and  the  vesper  song  of 
the  birds ;  repeating  that  old-time  prayer 
which  prelate  and  prince,  the  sage  and  illit- 
erate, the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  great  and 
the  lowly,  have  said  through  the  ages  in  the 
Church  of  God. 

Mr.  ]\Iortimer,  pausing  at  the  window, 
heard  the  sound  of  their  voices,  and  listened 
an  instant  to  what  they  were  saying.    For  the 


BEFORE  THE  THIRD  TEST. 


219 


► 


tide  was  low  that  night,  under  the  pine  cliff, 
and  the  noise  of  the  waves  was  silent,  so  that 
the  words  of  the  Rosary  came  distinct  to  his 
ears.      The  man    who    had    grown    world- 
hardened  saw,  as  in  a  picture,  his  boyhood's 
home,  and  heard  once  more  the  prayer  falling 
from  lips  long  silent.     Softly  he  withdrew, 
and  with  bowed  head  passed  into  his  library, 
where  the  scientific  thought  of  many  genera- 
tions had  occupied  his  mind  to  the  exclusion 
of  that  higher  love,  which  was  all  contained 
in  the  words  the  boys  were  saying, — the  mys- 
teries of  faith  with  their  bearing  on  this  life 
and  the  life  to  come. 


ifel. 


Chapter  XV. 
The  Final  Tkst. 

It  must  be  owned  that,  as  night  drew  near, 
Julian  felt  a  creepiness  in  all  his  nerves; 
though  it  was  Sedgwick,  and  not  he,  who  had 
first  to  face  the  dread  ordeal.  The  shadow 
of  evening  deepened  suddenly,  as  in  autumn 
is  apt  to  be  the  case;  purple  clouds  enshrouded 
the  departing  sun,  as  a  pall  of  that  royal  hue 
envelops  the  bier  of  a  conqueror;  and  a  gray- 
ness  stole  over  the  landscape,  bringing  with 
it  a  deep  hush.  The  birds  were  still  in  the 
boughs  of  the  trees,  the  insect  clamor  sub- 
sided, and  a  star  or  two  appeared  in  the 
heavens,  as  the  boys  came  out  from  their 
substantial  evening  meal. 

Nicholas,  grim  and  fantastic  as  the  shadows 
of  the  trees  on  the  lawn,  stood  som-what  sud- 
denly beside  the  boys.  He  had  come  to  lead 
vSedgwick  into  durance  vile.  The  cousins 
wrung  each  other's  hand,  as  if  they  were 
never  more  to  meet  upon  the  greeu  earth's 
(220) 


jsh 


THE  FINAL  TEST. 


221 


< 


surface.  Then  Sedgwick  passed  tln^ugli  a 
portentous-looking  trap-door,  ^Inch  Nicholas 
had  opeiKd  in  the  very  heart  of  the  brush- 
woe  1  npon  the  cliff.  Neither  of  the  boys  had 
discovered  this  entrance  before,  despite  their 
constant  researches. 

Julian,  left  alone,  cast  a  swift  glance  up- 
wards at  a  star  which  shone,  glowing  and 
bright,   in  the  gathering  darkness;  and  it 
seemed  to  him  like  a  beacon  of  hope.     He 
went  to  bed  early  that  night,  and  lay  awake 
wondering  how  it  fared  with  Sedgwick  in 
those  fearful  subterranean  depths,  to  whicli, 
imagination  suggested,  he  must  have  gone 
He  recalled,  as  he  tossed  about,  restless  and 
sleepless,  that  first  night  when  he  h^d  awaited 
the  summons  to  appear  in  presence  of  their 
formidable  ancestor  and  to  begin  the  quest 
which  was  now  so  nearly  ended. 

He  was  up  betimes  in  the  morning;  in  fact, 
it  was  scarcely  daylight  when  he  appeared 
npon  the  lawn,  and  there  was  only  a  faint 
streak  of  dawn  in  the  eastern  sky.  He  wan- 
dered about  aimlessly,  listening  with  curious 
impatience  to  the  cheerful  chirping  of  the 
birds  in  the  nests  far  overhead.  And  presently 
there  was  Nicholas  and  there  was  Sedgwick 


r.-'f  .t' 


■f " 


222    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTLMERS. 

beside  him.  Julian  looked  for  a  ir  >nioni  r.uo 
his  cousin's  face.  Its  ruddy  color  was  gone: 
Sedgwick  was  deadly  pale,  and  .lu/e  wee 
traces  of  exhaustion  in  his  whole  appearance. 
Julian  did  not  like  to  ask  a  question,  but 
Sedgwick  cried  out: 

•'Oh,  it  was  awful,  Julian!     And  I  have- 
failed!" 

"Failed!"  said  Julian,  aghast. 
But  Nicholas  hurried  Sedgwick  away,  nor 
did  he  allow  any  communication  between  the 
boys  during  the  whole  of  that  day. 

It  was  one  of  the  longest  and  most  depres- 
sing Julian  had  ever  known.  He  took  his 
luncheon  alone  with  his  grandfather,  who 
seemed  in  a  silent  mood,  buried  in  thought, 
and  scarcely  heeding  the  presence  of  his 
grandson.  Julian  actually  welcomed  the 
coming  of  the  dusk,  though  it  brought  him 
face  to  face  with  that  dreaded  ordeal,  which 
he  feared  so  much  the  more  since  his  momen- 
tary glimpse  of  Sedgwick.  Whatever  it  might 
be,  it  was  better  to  have  it  over.  He  should 
at  least  go  back  to  his  mother,  whom  he  was 
longing  to  see;  and  Sedgwick  and  he  would 
meet  and  have  some  pleasant  times  together. 
Even   if  both  cousins  were  unsuccessful  in 


THE  FINAL  TEST. 


223 


finding  the  fortnne,  Julian  argued  that  they 
would  have  many  experiences  to  telk  over 
and  would  be  friends  for  life. 

Just  as  Nicholas  thrust  the  young  adven- 
turer through  that  dismal  trap-door,  he  caught 
a  glimpse  of  the  same  bright  star  which  he 
had  beheld  on    the   evening   previous,  and 
which  reminded  him  of  the  "Star  of  the  Sea", 
to  whom  he  had,  in  his  boyish  fashion,  so 
tender  a  devotion.    He  felt  in  his  pocket  to  be 
sure  that  his  beads  were  there;  and  he  held 
them  close,  as  Nicholas  shut  the  door  with  a 
bang,  bolting  it  upon  the  outside;  and  Julian 
found  himself  iu  complete  darkness. 

The  old  servitor,  however,  had  provided 
him  with  a  winding  circular  taper  of  wax  and 
a  box  of  matches,  so  that  he  would  have  some 
means  of  guiding  himself  on  his  way.     But 
in  that  first  moment  of  dense,  overpowering, 
palpable  darkness,  the  boy  felt  ps  if  he  were 
wrestling  with  some  giant,  and  he  stood  still, 
not  even  remembering  to  light  his  taper.    He 
stumbled  along  blindly,  mechanically,  with 
an  instinct  that  he  should  move  at  all  costs 
from  the  spot  on  which  Nicholas  had  left  him. 
Occasionally  he  encountered  the  projection  of 
a  stone  wall,  damp  and  mouldy,  from  which 


224  '^"^■-  LOST  ji;\vi:i,  ok  TIU',  moutimers. 


p  I ' 


m 


( >^  - 


he  r'^coiled,  feeling  as  if  he  had  touched  some 
living  thing. 


For  the 


beine  his 


ises  seemed  be- 
munbed,  as  it  were;  and  a  curious  fancy  came 
over  him  that  he  had  died,  and  that  this  was 
the  dark  passage  from  Life  to  Death.  Oddly 
enough,  this  whimsical  idea  made  him  re- 
member to  light  his  taper,  which  seem  1 
symbolical  of  the  light  of  faith,  which  alone 
can  illumine  that  last  dreary  pathway.  He 
stnick  match  after  match,  but  it  was  some 
time  before  one  remained  lit,  so  damp  and 
mouldy  was  the  atmosphere.  At  last,  how- 
ever, he  succeeded  in  securing  a  clear  light, 
which,  though  small,  seemed  to  pierce  the 
surrounding  gloom,  giving  him  courage  to 
go  on. 

Sometimes  he  was  discouraged  to  find  him- 
self up  against  a  blind  wall,  with  no  appar- 
ent means  of  outlet,  until  at  last  he  discovered 
a  crevice  and  finally  a  narrow  passage,  through 
which  he  crept  on  all  fours,  startling  toads 
and  lizards  from  their  accustomed  quietude. 
Occasionally  the  noise  of  the  sea  sounded  so 
loud  and  so  close  to  him,  that  he  was  filled 
with  sudden  terror  and  stood  still,  trembling 
and  clinging  to  the  rock.     What  if  an  in- 


THE  FINAL  TEST. 


225 


cautious  movement  should  throw  him  head- 
long into  the  fathomless  depths,  the  waves 
swallowing  him  up  in  an  abyss  of  blackness! 
Again,  imaginary  terrors  crowded  into  his 
mind,  strange  spectres  flitted  before  his  eyes, 
fantastic  images  crowded  his  overtaxed  brain, 
lurid  lights  seemed  to  gleam  out  of  the  dark- 
ness. A  fear  of  the  unseen  filled  him  with 
horror.  But  perhaps  the  most  terrifying 
thought  of  all  was  that  he  might  have  to  re- 
main there  forever:  that  there  might  be  no 
other  exit  save  that  by  which  he  had  entered, 
and  that  he  might  never  be  able  to  find  his 
way  thither  again. 

An  intensity  of  longing  came  over  him  for 
a  glimpse  of  the  sky  studded  with  stars,  of 
the  green  grass  or  the  waving  trees,  or  of  the 
sunlight  on  the  surface  of  the  sea.  He  felt 
that  if  only  this  might  be,  he  would  sacrifice 
cheerfully  all  the  fortunes  of  the  world;  for 
"the  wealth  of  Ormuz  and  of  Ind"  then 
appeared  to  him  small  and  pityful.  But  his 
resolute  spirit  at  last  asserted  itself,  and  he 
reminded  himself  that  he  must  take  heart  and 
press  on,  either  to  that  goal  of  success  which 
now  seemed  to  him  so  shadowy  and  unreal, 
or  at  least  to  regain  that  outside  world,  with 
its  life  and  warmth  and  brightness. 


226  TiiK  Lo.'^r  ji;\vi:i<  ok  thk  Mortimers. 


1-    ll 


tP 


He  began  to  recite  his  Rosary,  at  first 
mecliauically,  then  with  fervor,  until  his  fears 
gradually  were  allayed  and  something  of  his 
natural  buoyancy  began  to  return.  He  fancied 
himself  leading  forlorn  hopes  or  facing  fearful 
odds,  as  Anselm  Benedict  had  done ;  or, 
again,  as  being  immured  in  some  fearful  dun- 
geon for  the  one  holy  Catholic  and  Apostolic 
Faith,  and  making  a  dash  for  freedom.  Thus 
passed  the  time;  though  he  had,  in  reality, 
nothing  wherewith  to  contend  except  silence 
and  darkness.  He  began  to  remember  how 
Sedgwick  and  he  had  got  lost,  apparently,  in 
a  labyrinth  of  passages,  which  finally  led  to 
the  cavern ;  and  he  shrewdly  conjectured  that 
these  windings  led  there,  or  somewhere  else 
more  advantageous.  But  even  to  reach  the 
light  and  warmth  and  rest  of  the  cavern 
seemed  now  most  desirable. 

Besides,  he  began  to  ask  himself  if  there 
couhl  be  any  tnith  in  the  supposition  which 
Sedgwick  had  once  set  forth — that  the  cavern 
in  some  way  held  the  secret  and  was  closely 
connected  with  the  discovery  of  the  lost  jev.  el 
and  the  hidden  room.  In  any  case,  iic  was 
determined  to  try  to  reach  the  cave;  and,  if  he 
■  could  not  get  any  farther,  there  at  least  to 


THlv  FINAL  TKST. 


227 


f 


await  Nicholas  in  peace  and  comfort.  Willi 
this  in  view,  he  continued  upon  his  difficult 
way,  not  without  sundry  cuts  and  bruises  and 
plenty  of  sharp  blows  from  t'.ie  projections  of 
the  rocks  and  the  sudden  -  arniugs.  At  last 
he  found  himself  going  down,  down,  down, 
with  considerable  speed,  as  though  he  were 
upon  an  incline.  It  seemed  to  him  that  the 
toilsome  way  would  never  end.  His  strength 
began  to  fail,  and  he  knew  that  he  would 
soon  become  altogether  exhausted. 

Just  as  he  felt  a  giddiness  and  faintness 
coming  over  him,  he  was  conscious  of  a  glim- 
mer of  light,  and  made  a  great  effort  to  reach 
the  brightness.  In  another  moment  he 
stumbled  and  almost  fell  into  e  familiar 
room  of  the  cavenr,  where  the  mysterious  fire 
still  glowed  upon  the  hearth.  By  a  last  effort 
he  threw  himself  into  an  easy-chair,  blowing 
out  his  taper  and  laying  it  beside  him  upon 
the  table.  He  remained  for  a  time  in  a  per- 
fectly lethargic  state. 

After  a  while,  however,  his  dormant  facul- 
ties awoke  to  life,  and  he  began  to  look  about 
him,  his  eager  gaze  discovering  nothing  new 
whatever.  There  was  the  hearth  with  great 
//logs  leaping  in  a  cheerful  blaze,  and  dry  sticks 


228  THK  LOST  JEWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 


,j... 


piled  beside  it,  ready  to  be  burned;  there  were 
the  skins  upon  the  walls  and  the  rug  upon  the 
floor,  and  the  table  and  the  candlesticks  and 
the  easy-chairs.  But  was  this  cavern  the  end? 
Were  the  lost  jewel  and  the  hidden  room  but 
phantoms  of  the  brain,  as  the  grandfather  had 
suggested;  and  the  trials  which  the  four  ad- 
venturers had  come  through  but  tests  of  man- 
hood, which  should  bear  their  own  reward? 
Somehow,  he  could  not  believe  this.  He  felt 
that  Auselm  Benedict  would  never  have  de- 
ceived them  and  so  graphically  described 
what  had  no  real  existence.  Yet  here  he, 
and  he  alone,  had  come  thus  far  in  the  third 
ordeal  and  had  discovered  nothing  new. 

He  sprang  from  his  chair  with  a  sudden 
strong  impulse  of  hope  and  courage.  The 
cavern  was  not  the  end,  but  only  the  means 
to  the  end, — he  felt  assured  of  that.  He  would 
explore  every  nook  and  cranny  of  it.  And 
just  as  he  had  come  to  this  determination,  he 
heard  the  grating  sound  in  the  wall,  and  there 
was  the  shelf  with  sandwiches,  plum-cake, 
and  a  hot  posset  of  milk.  Surely  he  was  the 
favorite  of  Nicholas,  or  whoever  provided  this 
mysterious  refreshment.  He  partook  of  it 
eagerly;  and,  as  though  it  had  been  the  fabled 


THE  FINAL  TEST. 


229 


nectar  of  the  gods,  it  seemed  to  fill  him  with 
new  strength  and  energy. 

It  occurr  d  to  him  still  more  forcibly  that, 
since  the  dark  labyrinths  of  winding  passages 
all  seemed  to  lead  to  this  habitable  portion  of 
the  cavern,  the  cine  niu«t  be  therein,  and  that 
some  other  passage  migiit  lead  to  that  goal  so 
long  desired  and  so  eag  dy  songht  by  genera- 
tions of  the  Mortimers.  He  remembered  the 
opening  which  he  had  seen  on  the  morning 
when  he  had  heard  Sedgwick's  voice  above 
his  head,  and  he  conld  have  sworn  that  it 
was  under  that  particular  leopard  skin,  from 
which  green  eyes  now  glared  at  him  malevo- 
lently. And  yet  it  was  behind  that  precise 
covering  that  a  rocky  wall  had  appeared, 
hopeless  and  impenetrable. 

Nevertheless,  he  approached  it  once  more, 
undeterred  by  the  gleam,  baleful  in  the  fire- 
light, which  shone  in  the  eyes  of  the  beast. 
They  were  only  eyes  of  glass,  which  had  re- 
placed the  natural  orbs  of  the  once  fierce 
beast  of  the  jungle;  but  they  caught  the  flame 
and  held  it  as  if  with  suppressed  fury.  Julian 
raised  the  skin  and  peered  at  the  gray  rock, 
which  seemed  to  stare  him  in  the  face.  As 
he  was  about  to  drop  the  skin  in  discourage- 


230  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


urn 


i  I 


ment,  he  suddenly  perceived  a  curiously 
carved  knob  placed  within  a  deep  indentation 
in  the  stone.  He  seized  this  and  it  yielded: 
a  door  flew  open,  and  there  were  the  stairs 
going  upward,  two  or  three  rt  a  time,  as  he 
h-'d  seen  them  on  that  other  morning.  In- 
stantly he  began  to  mount;  but,  turning  back- 
ward by  a  happy  instinct,  took  his  waxen 
taper  and  the  matches  from  the  table.  Then 
he  went  on,  with  something  of  the  feeling 
that  the  famous  youth  must  have  had,  who 
heard  above  him  the  magic  word  "Excelsior!" 

When  he  had  mounted  to  a  considerable 
distance,  the  stairs  made  a  sudden  turn,  and 
there  was  a  passageway  similar,  as  he  could 
not  doubt,  to  those  in  which  he  had  twice 
before  stumbled  blindly,  only  that  this  seemed 
smoother,  and  that  the  hand  of  man  had 
clearly  removed  obstructions  and  fashioned  a 
species  of  tunnel.  The  light  from  below  still 
aided  the  glow  of  his  taper,  and  he  could  see 
his  way  clearly;  but  after  a  time  he  had  to 
depend  entirely  upon  the  glimmer  of  the  wax 
light,  and  to  pursue  his  way  without  the  re- 
motest idea  as  to  whither  he  was  going. 

When  he  had  gone  on  thus  for  some  time, 
lie  began  to  hear  occasional  sounds,  such  as 


I  ■  ■  '.^l 


THE  FINAL,  TEST. 


231 


i 


the  soughing  of  the  wind  in  the  forest  trees, 
or  the  call  of  a  bird.  It  flashed  upon  him 
that  this  tunnel  led  under  the  forest,  and  that 
here  was  the  explanation  of  one  mystery  at 
least.  Nicholas  walking  in  that  passage  could 
hear  voices  from  above  and  make  his  own 
voice  heard.  No  doubt  the  tunnel  reached 
down  to  the  rocky  shore  v/here  the  mysterious 
echo  had  first  been  heard,  and  under  those 
forest  paths  where  stood  the  caaip  of  the 
fortune-seekers.  But  if  it  led  under  the  forest, 
what  was  its  final  destination?  Did  it  extend 
as  far  as  the  mansion  at  Pine  Bluff?  And  if 
so,  with  what  portion  of  that  edifice  did  it 
connect?  Would  it  finally  lead  to  the  glorious 
end  of  all  these  adventures? 

Julian's  heart  began  to  beat  high,  his  pulses 
throbbed,  and  his  feet  fairly  flew  over  the 
damp  earth.  The  twitter  of  birds  coming 
faintly  from  above  warned  him  that  the  dawn 
was  near,  and  a  horrible  fear  smote  on  him 
that  perhaps  Nicholas  would  come  to  snatch 
him  back  from  the  very  threshold  of  success. 
He  had  so  often  seen  the  old  servitor  appear 
at  the  most  unexpected  moment,  that  he 
would  not  have  been  surprised  to  encounter 
him  coming  through  the  solid  rock  or  upward 


f..', 


il 


mt 


it 


.'I 


232  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

from  the  ground  at  his  feet.  But  all  remai-  ^d 
silent,  save  those  whisperings  of  nature  from 
above;  and  the  boy,  sanguine  and  glowing 
with  renewed  hope,  urged  on  by  the  keenest 
curiosity,  saw  before  him  only  the  gray  rocky 
sides  of  the  passageway  and  the  cold  brown 
earth  at  his  feet.  At  last  he  was  brought  to 
a  full  stop  and  nearly  stumbled  over  the  first 
of  a  flight  of  steps. 

"More  steps!"  he  muttered  to  himself,  in 
discouragement;  for  they  always  seemed  to 
bring  him  into  more  winding  passages.  How- 
ever, he  had  no  alternative  but  to  mount  the 
stairs  or  go  back  the  way  he  had  come.  He 
looked  all  about  him  carefully.  This  was 
obviously  the  way  out;  and  if  that  way  led 
into  the  mansion  at  Pine  Bluff,  as  he  believed, 
he  wot  naturally  have  to  go  upward  from 
beneath  the  earth.  He  set  his  foot  upon  the 
lowest  step.  It  was  made  of  wood,  mouldy 
and  almost  rotten:  it  creaked  when  he  walked, 
and  set  numberless  strange  insects  in  motion. 
There  was  a  rude  sort  of  banister,  and  he 
seized  upon  this — though  it  did  not  feel  secure 
in  his  grasp — and  resolutely  began  the  ascent. 
Presently  a  step  broke  with  his  weight,  and 
he  was  very  nearly  thrown  down  into  strange 
depths. 


)'■, 


THE  FINAL  TEST. 


233 


But  the  boy  was  not  to  be  deterred  now  by 
any  obstacles.  Pride,  ambition,  hope,  cour- 
age,— were  all  strong  within  him;  the  adven- 
turous spirit  of  his  ancestor  was  alive,  and 
success  lured  him  on,  as  the  syrens  of  old 
lured  the  fabi  d  mariners.  He  felt  that 
nothing  could  liave  made  him  turn  back  till 
he  reached  the  top  of  those  stairs.  Yet  the 
stairs  seemed  very  long,  and  it  occurred  to 
him,  in  his  mad  excitement,  that  surely  they 
were  taking  him  to  the  very  roof  of  his  grand- 
father's dwelling. 

He  paused  every  once  and  a  while  to  take 
breath,  trembling  and  panting  with  the 
thought  of  what  might  lie  hidden  at  the  top 
of  that  damp  and  mildewed  stairway.  He 
had  left  rocky  passages  and  caverns  behind 
him, — of  that  he  was  certain;  and  the  boom 
of  the  sea  sounded  mellowed  and  softened  to 
his  ears. 

All  at  once  he  '•tood  still  and  listened. 
What  sound  was  tlu  ,  strangely  familiar,  but 
weirdly  unreal  in  this  stillness,  and  altogether 
unexpected  in  this  scene, — metallic  and  vib- 
rant, grating  at  first,  tiien  softened  into 
melody?  He  knew  at  last  what  it  was,  and 
held  his  breath.     What  did  it  portend,  and 


234  THE  LOST  JKWKL  OK  THK  MORTIMERS. 

were  all  uis  wanderings  to  have  the  common- 
place cutlet  of  the  principal  stairway  in  the 
mansion  at  Pine  Bluff  ?  Should  he  see  the 
servants  there,  going  noiselessly  about  their 
work;  or  his  grandfather  going  down  for  his 
morning  walk;  or  Nicholas,  who  never  seemed 
to  have  any  settled  place  of  abode? 

A  passionate  impatience  seized  upon  the 
boy.  If  he  suddenly  found  himself  upon  that 
well-known  stairway,  Nicholas  would  be  there 
and  would  lead  him  away  and  _  =  1  his  dream 
forever,  and  tell  him,  peihaps,  that  the  treas- 
ure he  had  sought  did  not  exist,  and  that  his 
adventures  had  been  in  vain.  By  an  odd 
freak  of  memory,  he  recalled  all  the  abusive 
names  which  Jake  used  to  bestow  upon  the 
old  servitor,  and  for  a  moment  he  felt  tempted 
to  pour  them  all  out  upon  that  unoffending 
head.  Then  he  told  himself  that  if,  after  all, 
the  treasure  that  he  sought  proved  mythical, 
it  would  be  a  good  thing  to  get  back  to 
ordinary  life  and  to  be  done  with  all  these 
wild  and  strange  adventures. 

He  stood  thus  and  reasoned  with  himself 
long  after  the  vibrant,  metallic  sound  had 
ceased;  for  the  ancient  clock  upon  the  stairs 
had  finished  striking  the  hour  of  five. 


Chapter  XVI. 

vSuccESS  AT  Last. 

Yes,  Julian  was  surely  very  close  to  the 
great  clock  on  the  stairs  which  always  tolled 
out  the  hour  in  the  uiansion  at  Pine  Bluff 
with  great,  solemn  strokes,  and  which  had 
summoned  him  to  that  first  memorable  inter- 
view with  Anselm  Benedict.  But  where  was 
the  clock  ?  The  steps,  damp  and  creaking 
and  festooned  with  cobwebs,  upon  which  he 
stood,  were  not  the  luxuriously  carpeted  and 
immaculately  clean  pair  of  stairs  down  which 
his  grandfather  came  in  the  early  morning, 
and  which  he  mounted  again  at  night.  And 
yet  that  clock  had  tolled,  and  was  even  now 
ticking  away  in  his  ear.  It  dawned  upon  him 
at  last  that  he  must  be  at  the  back  of  the 
t^'mepiece,  and  that  there  was  probably  a  door 
which  gave  entrance  to  the  Mortimer  dwell- 
ing. And  as  he  stood  uncertain,  he  grew 
tired  of  the  darkness  and  silence  and  longed 
for  the  light,  which  he  knew  was  even  then 

(235) 


;  '■;■;**  «aJ^ 


w  ■ 


t-.'i' 


236    THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

breaking  over  the  surface  of  the  sea;  and  for 
the  voice  of  Nicholas  or  any  other  human 
creature  to  disturb  this  monotonous  stillness. 

The  boy  felt  utterly  discouraged  as  well  as 
disappointed ;  for  most  likely  he  had  chanced 
upon  a  secret  passage  from  the  cavern  to  the 
house,  which  had  once  been  used  end  was 
now  out  of  date.  He  stretched  out  his  hand 
and  it  grasped  the  handle  of  a  door;  and, 
bringing  his  taper  nearer,  there  was  a  rusty 
key.  This  jangled  harshly  as  he  attempted  to 
turn  it  in  the  lock;  but  finally  it  yielded. 
He  was  indeed  at  the  back  of  the  clock  in  a 
kind  of  niche;  and,  giving  way  at  once  to 
weariness  and  despondency,  he  leaned  heavily 
against  the  wall.  As  he  did  so  he  felt  a 
gradual  yielding,  and  the  next  moment  found 
himself  falling  inward. 

He  was  terribly  frightened  at  first,  believ- 
ing that  he  was  falling  into  some  abyss;  and 
then;  as  he  stared  and  blinked,  it  occurred  to 
him  that  he  was  upon  a  soft  rug,  and  that  the 
air  about  him  was  curiously  stale  and  close, 
as  of  a  room  loug  shut  from  the  light.  He 
lay  still  a  few  moments,  pondering,  dazed  and 
uncertain;  then  he  sat  up  and  looked  about 
him,  and  finally  rose  to  his  feet.     He  wan- 


SUCCESS  AT  LAST. 


237 


dered  about  aimlessly,  until  interest  and 
curiosity  began  to  be  excited  by  what  he  saw. 
It  was  an  oddly  shaped  room,  and  so  curious- 
ly contrived  that  it  was  evident  no  trace  of  it 
appeared  from  the  outside.  It  was  not  dark, 
but  the  light  seemed  to  be  the  reflection  of 
other  lights,  and  came  glowing — now  fiery 
red,  now  opalescent  green,  now  royal  purple 
— from  stained  windows  which  gave  not  upon 
the  landscape  without  but  upon  a  kind  of  cir- 
cular corridor  illumined  by  some  outside 
windows. 

A  faint  aromatic  perfume  pervaded  the  at- 
mosphere, recalling  to  Julian's  mind  some  of 
those  quaint  Indian  legends  he  had  heard; 
and  the  stillness  was  so  great  that  he  could 
almost  hear  his  heart  beat.  The  furniture 
was  antique,  of  a  style  which  he  had  never 
seen  before,  except  in  so  far  as  it  resembled 
that  apartment  below,  where  the  pictured 
figure  of  the  gallant  cavalier  held  its  solitary 
sway.  Julia.,  felt  oppressed  by  a  sense  of 
strangeness  and  of  mystery,  which  seemed  to 
transport  him  back  into  the  past,  from  which 
he  could  never  come  forth  again  and  be  just 
an  ordinary  twentieth-century  boy,  going  to 
school  and  being  buffeted  about  by  his  class- 
mates. 


238  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

He  scarce   dared  touch  the  beautiful  and 
costly  objects  which  lay  strewn  around,  and 
he  did  not  know  the  names  of  any  of  them. 
They  might   have  been  the  work  of  some 
strange  enchanter,    who  would   lay  a  spell 
upon  him,  were  he  so  much  as  to  fix  his  eyes 
too  intently  upon  the  rare  collection.     A  cur^ 
ious  terror  stole  over  him  and  seemed  to  be- 
numb his  senses,  till  all  at  once  his  wandering 
eyes  encountered  a  picture  of    the    Virgin 
Mother  and  Child,  quaint  with  the  shadows 
of  antiquity,  but  fair  and  soft  in  its  tints, 
mild  and  benignant  in  its  expression.     Before 
it  was  a  costly  vessel  of  silver,   in  which 
burned  some  perfumed  oil.    Julian  afterward 
learned  that  the  light  had  never  been  extin- 
guished while  two  centuries  and  more  had 
run  their  course,  and  the  old  world  had  seen 
its  innumerable  vicissitudes  of  joy  and  sorrow 
and  war  and  famine  and  pestilence.     It  was 
one  of  those  li    'ts  which  Anselni  Benedict, 
like  many  pi  holies  of  the  generations 

gone,  had  01  .;  by  his  will  should  burn 

in    perpetuit>     ....fore    a    representation    of 
"St.  Mary". 

Close  by  the  picture,  upon  a  spindle-legged 
table  of  satinwood,  stood  a  curiously  wrought 


SUCCESS  AT  LAST. 


239 


cabinet  composed  of  various  woods,  incrusted 
with  ornaments  of  solid  gold,  wliicli  were 
marvels  of  the  artificer's  art.  With  a  species 
of  awe  Julian  touched  one  of  these,  gently, 
delicately,  as  he  might  have  touched  a  rose- 
leaf.  Instantly  a  door  ?prang  open,  and  there, 
upon  a  cushion  of  finest  satin  yellowed  by 
age,  lay  a  gorgeous  jewel:  a  drop  of  living 
fire,  a  vivid  crimson  stain  like  the  blood  of  a 
heart, — Julian  knew  not  what  to  call  it.  He 
felt  fascinated,  bewildered  by  its  beauty,  as  it 
gleamed  and  glowed  in  the  light  from  "St. 
Mary's"  lamp.  In  his  inexperience  the  boy 
knew  nothing  of  its  value,  but  vaguely  thought 
of  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  burning  and 
glowing,  the  source  of  true  wealth  and  power. 
Perhaps  it  was  this  analogy  which  caused 
him  to  fall  upon  his  knees,  with  a  prayer  of 
thanksgiving  upon  his  lips  for  his  preserva- 
tion from  many  dangers.  And  as  he  knelt, 
bewildered,  he  remembered  the  legend  of  the 
Holy  Grail,  which  his  mother  had  read  to 
him,  and  of  the  finding  of  the  blessed  cup  by 
him  who  was  pure  of  heart  and  steadfast. 
He  fancied  that  the  pictured  face  of  the  Vir- 
gin Mother  smiled  upon  him;  and  as  he  knelt 
thus,  a  hand  was  laid  upon  his  shoulder,  and 


i.'i. 


340   THE  LOST  JK\V1;L  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

there  was  Nicholas.  He  rose  and  coiifronled 
the  old  servitor,  who  seemed  borne  out  of 
himself  by  some  overpowering  emotion:  the 
grim  eyes  sparkled,  the  wooden  face  fairly 
beamed  with  joy  and  excitement,  and,  raising 
his  hand,  he  made  a  military  salute  to  the 
young  hero  of  the  hour. 

Then  for  the  first  time  Julian  realized  the 
meaning  of  all  these  marvels.  The  ordeal 
was  ended.  He  had  come  through  all  his 
trials  triumphantly,  and  here  were  the  hidden 
room  and  the  lost  jewel  of  the  Mortimers. 
The  knowledge  came  to  him  by  a  sudden 
flash  of  intuition.  Nicholas  had  said  nothing, 
and  for  the  moment  it  seemed  to  the  boy  as 
if  his  heart  would  break  with  the  wonder  and 
the  joy  of  it.  The  thought  of  his  mother 
rushed  into  his  heart.  Like  a  torrent  released 
by  the  springtime  sun,  he  could  go  back  to 
her  now  with  the  glad  tidings;  and  she  would 
be  rich  and  never  know  the  pressure  of  strait- 
ened circumstances  any  more. 

"//e  will  be  glad!"  cried  Nicholas,  in 
trumpet-like  tones  that  were  startling  in  the 
stillness. 

*'\Vlio?     Grandfather?"  asked  Julian. 

•'Grandfather!  No!"  replied  Nicholas. 
"He,  the  master,  down  below!" 


SUCCESS  AT  LAST. 


241 


Then  Julian  knew  that  he  meant  Ansehn 
Benedict,  of  whom  the  servant  spoke  as  though 
he  still  lived  and  moved  and  were  capal)le  of 
human  feelings.     And  the  boy  experienced  a 
sudden  glow  at  the   thought    that    he— he 
at  least— had  proved  himself  worthy  and  had 
finally  conquered  in  the  great  race.      This 
brought  him  to  the  remembrance  of  Sedgwick, 
and  Julian's  generous  heart  was  filled  with 
something  like  remorse.  Sedgwick  had  striven 
bravely  and  had  failed.     He  had  come  so  far 
on  the  journey  and  had  been  compelled  to 
turn  backward  unrewarded.    Julian  felt  truly 
sorry,   and  dreaded  the  meeting   when    he 
should  have  to  say  to  the  cousin,  to  whom  he 
was  now  deeply  attached,  ''I  have  won  where 
you  have  failed." 

Nicholas,  however,  was  troubled  by  no  such 
regrets.  He  stood  gazing  at  the  ruby,  lost, 
as  it  seemed,  in  a  kind  of  reverential  awe. 
Then  he  raised  it  from  its  satin  bed  and  laid 
it  in  Julian's  hand. 

"Think  of  it!"  he  cried,  in  the  same 
clarion-like  tone.     « 'After  hundreds  of  years 

it  is  yours!" 

A  thrill  passed  through  the  boy,  as  though 
the  ruby  had  been  some  sentient  thing  which, 


l-  i 


;1         .T 


'>42  THK  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS, 

suddenly   resurrected,   had   responded  to  Ins 
touch.     Still,  he  was  glad  when  Nicholas  re- 
lieved him  of  it  and  restored  it  to  the  oushion, 
whence  it  sent  forth  its  wonderful  flashes  of 
fire   in   the   flicker  of   "St.   Mary's"   flame. 
For  human  hearts  are  so  constituted    that 
triumph,  success,  the  sudden  realization  of 
good  fortune,  or  of  great  happiness,  leaves 
them  in  a  measure  unresponsive. 
'XvNicholas  closed  the  door  of  the  cabinet, 
and,  taking  Julian  by  the  hand  in  a  strong, 
warm  clasp,  which  told  of  sympathy  and  of 
gladness,  led  the  boy  out  of  the  room.     But, 
instead  of  going  down  the  dusty  and  worm- 
eaten  steps  by  which  Julian  had  ascended, 
they  went  out  from  behind  the  case  of  the 
great  clock  and  down  the  principal  stairs  of 
the  mansion  at  Pine  Bluff,  of  which  Julian 
was  henceforth  practically  the  master.     The 
staircase  and  the  hall  looked  different  to  him, 
as  though  they  were  touched  with  the  quiet 
and  peace  of  Sabbath  sunshine;  and  so  the 
boy,  attended  by  the  grim  old  servitor,  passed 
down  into  the  librarj',  where  sat  Mr.  Mortimer 
among  his  books.     He,  too,  had  a  different 
aspect  about  him,  as  if  he  belonged  to  another 
world.     He  was  buried  in  a  ponderous  vol- 


SUCCESS  AT  LAST. 


243 


ume  dealing  with  scientific  research.  Julian 
ran  straight  to  the  old  man's  side. 

"Grandfather,"  he  exclaimed,  "Anselm 
Benedict  was  right:  there  is  a  hidden  room 
and  a  lost  jewel ! ' ' 

Mr.  Mortimer  turned  ashen-white,  and  his 
hands  shook  as  if  he  were  suddenly  stricken 
with  palsy. 

"Do  you  mean  to  say,"  he  asked,  in  a 
tremulous,  broken  voice,  "that  —  that  you 
have  found  them?" 

"Yes,  grandfather,"  Julian  answered,  sub- 
dued, abashed  at  his  own  success,  p. shamed  of 
having  proved  this  old  man's  tl'  cries  wrong. 

Mr.  Mortimer  looked  at  him  with  an  odd, 
puzzled,  long  stare,  as  though  the  boy  were 
one  who  had  come  out  of  some  long-past 
dream.  But  he  said  never  a  word  more, 
turning  his  eyes  at  last  away  from  the  boy 
and  out  over  the  landscape,  sunlit  now  with 
the  fair  morning  beams.  From  the  very  depths 
of  his  heart  he  sighed,  as  men  sigh  for  whom 
youth  is  vanished,  with  its  hopes,  its  aspira- 
tions and  its  possibilities. 

By  a  sudden  impulse  Julian  laid  his  hand 
upon  his  grandfather's  arm. 

"I  am  only  a  boy,"  he  said,  "and  what 


244  'f"!-;  lOST  JKWHL  OK  THK  MORTIMERS. 

does  it  matter  whether  I  found  the  things 
or  not?" 

Then  tears,  the  slow  tears  of  age,  began  to 
steal  down  the  old  man's  wrinkled  cheeks, 
and  through  the  mist  which  the  moisture 
made  he  saw  himself  and  the  long  ago;  but 
'aw,  too,  the  simplicity,  honesty,  truth  and 
enerosity  which  shone  in  the  face  of  the  boy 
before  him,  and  he  acknowledged  that  for  this 
time  at  least  good  fortune  was  deserved.  He 
bowed  his  head  upon  his  hands;  and  Julian, 
obeying  an  imperative  sign  from  Nicholas, 
went  softly  out. 

When  he  reached  the  lawn,  the  birds  were 
singing  a  very  paean;  they  seemed  to  greet 
him  with  acclamation.  It  was  their  morning 
chorus  of  praise  and  joy.  And  the  living 
green  of  the  grass  seemed  fairer  than  ever  to 
his  eyes,  and  the  trees  were  all  burnished 
gold  by  the  early  sun,  while  the  voice  of  the 
sea  in  a  gentle  munnur  spoke  of  gladness. 

Sedgwick  came  running  in  great  haste  to 
meet  his  comrade. 

"I  know  you  have  found  it!"  he  cried. 
"You  must  have  found  it,  curly  pate!  It 
wouldn't  be  right  if  you  didn't.  The  story 
would  end  all  wrong." 


y  =  ,i 


SUCCESS  AT  LAST. 


245 


Julian  hesitated.  The  sight  of  Sedgwick's 
honest,  ruddy  face  filled  him  with  regret  and 
something  like  confusion.  His  cousin  had 
been  so  kind  and  so  faithful  in  all  their  ad- 
ventures, and  had  done  him  so  many  good 
turns!  It  seemed  almost  cruel  to  tell  him  of 
the  success  which  had  befallen  himself,  and 
of  that  wondrous  room  hidden  away  behind 
the  clock-case,  at  the  top  of  those  creaking 
and  worm-eaten  stairs. 

But  Nicholas,  who  had  set  his  heart  upon 
Julian's  ultimate  triumph,  and  had  early  seen 
the  promise  of  success  in  the  boy,  was  troubled 
with  no  regrets  whatever.  He  straightened 
himself  to  attention — a  grotesque  figure,  an 
anachronism  in  that  joyous  sunlight, — he 
waved  his  hand  as  if  inviting  all  the  landscape 
to  share  in  his  joy,  and  to  proclaim,  as  he  was 
about  to  proclaim,  Julian's  triumph.  He  took 
off  his  hat  and  bowed  ceremoniously  to  his 
young  hero,  who  now  shared  in  his  heart  the 
place  long  occupied  by  the  traditional  Anselm 
Benedict  alone.  Then  he  spoke  out  in  tones 
clear  and  vibrating,  which  caught  every  echo 
and  mingled  with  the  hoarse  voice  of  the 
waves: 

"Know  ye  all,  and  be  it  known   to   you, 


246  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 


li  X 


I 


t 


ii.^ 


tliat  the  victor  stands  before  you,  the  worthy 
descendant  of  the  great  and  famous  Ansehn 
Benedict ;  and  that  he  has  found  and  shall 
forever  hold  in  his  possession  that  which  was 
concealed  in  the  hidden  room — namely,  the 
lost  jewel  of  the  Mortimers!" 

Then  Sedgwick's  cap  went  up  into  the  air, 
and  for  very  joy  he  turned  a  somersault  or 
two,  which  was  in  marked  contrast  to  the  old 
servitor's  poniiJous  proclamation,  but  which 
was  fully  as  sincere  and  honest;  after  which 
he  also  straightened  himself  to  his  full  height, 
and  sent  all  the  echoes  ringing  into  the  forest 
with  a  great  shout  of — 

"Hip,  hip,  hurrah  for  Julian,  for  Anselm 
Benedict,  the  hidden  room  and  the  lost  jewel 
found!" 

Nicholas  joined  him  with  right  good  will 
in  three  times  three.  And  the  grandfather 
came  to  the  window  and  saw  Julian's  small 
figure  and  shining  hair  glistening  in  the  sun, 
his  pale  face  aglo>v  with  happiness;  while 
again  and  yet  again  went  up  that  cry  of 
"Ilip,  hip,  hurrah  for  Julian,  for  Anselm 
Benedict,  the  hidden  room  and  the  lo'-'  "  wel 
found!" 


Chapter  XVII. 
Joy  All  Round. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  put  into  one 
chapter  all  these  things  which  followed  upon 
Julian's  success;  but  his  very  first  act  was  to 
sunnnon  his  mother  that  she  might  share  his 
triumph.  Their  meeting  was  a  most  affecting 
one,  not  easily  to  be  set  down  in  cold  black 
and  white.  The  mother  was  proud  of  her 
little  knight;  joyful,  too,  but  fearful  at  times 
of  the  effect  of  success  upon  the  character  and 
future  career  of  her  boy. 

At  the  request  of  Mr.  Mortimer,  she  con- 
sented to  take  up  her  abode  with  her  son  in 
the  mansion  at  Pine  Bluff,  with  the  stipulation 
that  Julian  should  return  to  college  and  con- 
tinue his  education.  From  the  very  first  the 
mother  and  son  were  full  of  projects  which 
had  fur  their  ultimate  aim  the  good  of  the 
greatest  number.  For  Mrs.  Robert  always 
insisted  that  the  fortune  had  been  left  them 
merely  in  trust,  and  that  they  had  to  consider 
(247) 


SCT^ 


24^  T 1 1 K  i.f  )hr  ■  I'.w  !•;  I,  I  •       n  k  \u  .  k  ■  i  m  hk.s. 


\  hat  w   II   1  have    eeii    he  wisl-       A    '        im 
IJt'iieclict  ill  its  disposal.      Tht.      k>L  .  lat 

1     would  have  been  desirous  ol  '  vnel:tin<^  Ii  s 
»u-  endants  in  even    brn  .ch  o     the   fa   n'] 
and  al-  .  of  ad  van  •  •  -  t'-e  interest-  of    hose 
who  li\     !  •■  I  the  nt  ,;iibor    .ud  o        ue     'l.tf 
.'i>  well  as  in  tl.r  suriu    -iv        coi;  ,:> 
Mr.  Moriinier    who  wa>        w  in  ♦^'i     i\ 


svn    )at',v  and 


"ti  t'       ni(    t  cord.   1  tt 


v.uh    his   daugluei-iu-lav. 
^'ito  all  these  schei  'es,    •].    jri, 
in  his  new  enthusia  'w. 
Julian,  who,  in  his        i,  ic 
fa'.lier  a\ 'th  the  o^rea         aff     :k 
him     with     i       -ference     n  id 


ei   d 
yoi 
IS  dt 
•d  h- 


h..  -t 


CO 


agai. 
'  h 
ant 
created 
^     ation 
•i  wants, 
11  to  all 
favorite 
.r  1     hs- 
d,   a.^     the 


hcaiuifnl  to  see.      '^e  an      ipatt-d 

listened  with  inti      si  ,         a^jjreci 

his  savings    knc  •      he        o  fin 

hooks  ami  when   :o    eave  hii 

tnrhcvi    ci        ni-:  m.      Julian, 

}e.-irs    \vi        on,    remai'^^d   t:.e      .aie  br;  ^dit^ 

'"         '  ^'"U"''       ''  -re,  ,.  "-rested  in  a!i  about 

hill     m  ?  -      (ctmg  nn'     :  .all    .e  and  sym- 

en,       >ii        pious  and  regular 

iutis  a   f'  s,  h'    ex-i   !ple  was  as 

;try        nd,  and  had  its 

wurld  h  character 


l-a 
in 
a 


i  hii  1 
icon  to  . 
'   even  c>i 


JOY  ALL  ROUND. 


249 


of  his  grandfather,  who  g  hially  turned  from 
the  things  that  are  pnssiu  to  those  that  are 
eternal. 

Every  year,  upon  the  anniversar  of  the 
finding  of  the  jewel — which,  by  the  way,  was 
to  remain  in  its  shimmering  cushion  of  satin, 
within  the  little  cabinet  beside  "St.  Mary's 
picture",  until  Jidiau  should  be  of  age, — 
there  was  a  gathering  of  the  Mortimers,  sen- 
iors and  juniors,  r  id  a  solemn  visit  to  the 
(nice  hidden  room,  where  the  ruby  was  dis- 
played and  pas^  d  around  among  them.  Be- 
fore departing  they  assembled  also  around 
the  picture  of  Auselm  Benedict ;  and  this 
ber  ,  ne  a  traditional  custom,  a  ceremonial  of 
great  we'ght  in  the  family.  Even  the  most 
obscure  member  felt  that  it  in  some  way  en- 
hanced his  importance  to  be  one  of  the  group 
around  the  portrait  of  their  brilliant  and 
piciiiresqiK  ancestor;  the  more  so  as,  through 
Julian's  influence,  the  chief  incidents  of  his 
life  and  the  most  conspicuous  traits  in  his 
character  became  familiarly  known  to  them 
all. 

From  ihese  family  gatherings,  however, 
Ja  le  ail  .  his  father  were  absent.  Never  once 
did  thcv  cross  the  threshold  of  t^^      nnsion 


i 


f 


1' 


>i  i  m 


250  THE  LOST  JEWEL  OF  THE  MORTIMERS. 

at  Pine  Bluff,  though  they  were  annually  in- 
vited to  do  so.  Julian  had  made  over  to  Jake 
a  handsome  annuity,  which  the  latter  freely 
accepted,  while  openly  expressing  his  hatred 
of  the  donor.  He  was  heard  of  as  an  un- 
scrupulous and  over-sharp  speculator  in  stocks, 
and  bid  fair,  as  his  grandfather  declared,  to 
become  a  frequenter  of  bucket  shops  and  other 
shady  speculative  resorts.  Julian  always 
thought  with  a  kind  of  regretful  pity  of  his 
cousin,  and  Julian's  mother  was  full  of  sym- 
pathy for  the  erring  lad  and  Oi'teu  deplored 
that  they  could  do  nothing  whatever  to 
help  him. 

Sedgwick  received  from  the  estate  a  very 
considerable  sum  indeed,  as  had  been  arranged 
by  Ansel m  Benedict  for  any  competitor  who 
should  have  passed  through  many  of  the  tests 
and  acquitted  himself  honorably  upon  all 
occasions.  Aud  Wat  was  not  forgotten;  for, 
though  he  had  not  distinguished  himself  in 
any  way,  he  had  done  nothing  to  forfeit  the 
good  opinion  of  those  about  him;  and  so  he 
received  a  sufficient  share  of  the  fortune  to 
delight  him  and  his  parents. 

The  two  cousins  spent  nearly  all  their  holi- 
days, winter  aud  summer,  at  the  mansion  of 


liil 


JOY  ALL  ROUND. 


351 


Pine  Bluff;  and  their  visits  there  were  gala 
occasions  indeed.  They  lived  over  again 
every  incident  of  those  memorable  weeks, 
when  they  had  all  been  competitors  for  the 
Mortimer  fortune  and  seekers  after  the  jewel. 
There  were,  in  the  first  place,  many  mysteries 
to  unravel;  and  as  many  of  these  v/ere  con- 
nected with  the  grim  and  somewhat  grotesque 
figure  of  Nicholas,  the  old  man  seemed  to 
take  particular  pleasure  in  introducing  the 
cousins  to  his  most  secret  haunts. 

For  there  was  a  whole  labyrinth  of  secret 
passages  and  winding  stairs, — some  of  them 
in  the  house  and  others  without,  leading  into 
the  forest  or  down  to  the  cavern  or  the  sea- 
shore. Most  of  them  were  known  to  the  old 
servitor  alone.  He  had  spent  many  of  his 
long  years  of  service  in  their  hidden  recesses, 
and  had  his  own  apartments  where  no  prying 
eyes  might  look  upon  them.  This  circum- 
stance, with  the  antique  style  of  dress  he 
affected,  his  taciturnity,  and  his  singular 
manner  and  appearance,  had  gained  for  him 
among  the  people  about  the  reputation  of 
possessing  occult  powers.  Many  amongst  the 
generations  of  Mortimers  whom  he  had  served 
had  not  been  altogether  free  from  this  super- 


252  THE  LOST  JKWEL  OK  THE  MORTIMERS. 

stition;  and,  being  unable  to  account  for  his 
mysterious  coinings  and  goings,  had  been  in- 
clined to  ascribe  them  to  magic,  or  at  least  to 
some  inexplicable  cause  which  it  was  im- 
possible to  discover. 

As  for  the  old  man  himself,  he  had  been  so 
long  the  guardian  spirit  of  the  place,  and  the 
repository  of  all  its  secrets,  that  he  almost 
fancied  himself  to  have  always  existed,  and  to 
have  been  at  Pine  Bluff  when  the  mansion 
was  erected  in  the  pioneer  days  of  Anselm 
Benedict.    He  was  seldom  distant  from  Julian, 
save  when  the -latter  was  absent  at  college; 
and  he  loved  him  with  a  love  which  gradually 
blended,  as   Nicholas  grew  extremely  aged 
and  his  powers  begun  to  fail,  with  the  wor- 
shiping tenderness  with  which  he  regarded 
Anselm  Benedict.     To  hear  his  fragments  of 
talk,  it  almost  seemed  as  if,  in  some  myster- 
ious way,  Julian  the  young  and  merry-hearted 
had  changed  places  with  that  brilliant  soldier 
of  other  days,  who  had  long  since  mouldered 
into  dust  in  the  family  vault  of  the  Mortimers. 
This  peculiarity  of  Nicholas  gave  Julian  him- 
self an  uncanny  sensation,  which  he  once 
confided  to  Sedgwick. 

•*He  makes  me  fe'        her  like  a  boy  in  a 


JOY  ALL  ROUND. 


253 


fairy  book,"  Julian  declared,  with  a  wry  face. 

*'Well,  you  did  go  through  adventures  that 
beat  the  'Wild  West'  tales  all  hollow,"  Sedg- 
wick responded. 

"So  did  you,"  said  Julian. 

"That's  so,  but  I  didn't  come  up  to  you.. 
I  didn't  climb  rickety  stairs  nor  hear  the  big 
clock  strike  and  suddenly  find  myself  in  a 
wonderful  room.  Why,  it's  a  good  deal  like 
the  Arabian  Nights,  and  I  don't  wonder  the 
old  man  feels  like  handing  you  bouque  s  ever 
since." 

"but  he  needn't  mix  me  with  Anselra 
Benedict,"  replied  Julian;  "though,  of  course, 
it's  a  compliment,  because  any  fellow  would 
be  proud  to  be  like  him.  I'm  really  fond  of 
Nicholas,"  he  added  hastily,  lest  Sedgwick 
might  infer  from  his  remarks  anything  de- 
rogatory to  that  faithful  servant. 

"So  am  I.  He's  a  first-rate  old  chap," 
agreed  Sedgwick,  cordially;  "and  he  gives  us 
no  end  of  a  good  time  when  we  come  here." 

"Do  you  remember  all  the  names  Jake  used 
to  call  him?"  asked  Julian. 

"You  het  I  do!"  answered  Sedgwick.  "And 
I  sometimes  felt  like  joining  in  myself." 

"We  we^e  all  rather  afraid  of  him." 


ni 


254  'I'HK  LOST  JKWRL  OF  THK  MORTIMKRS. 

•'No  wonder,  curly  pate,"  exclaimed  Sedg- 
wick, "when  he  could  go  through  thick  walls 
and  hear  what  we  said  everywhere,  and  then 
speak  at  our  very  elbow!  We  had  a  glorious 
time,  though,  Julian;  and  I  wouldn't  Lave 
missed  it  for  anything." 

"Neither  would  I,"  agreed  Julian,  enthusi- 
astically, "even  if  I  had  never  found  the  hid- 
den room  nor  the  lost  jewel.  I  don't  think 
any  boys  in  our  time  ever  had  such  queer 
experiences." 

And  they  had  a  good  many  more,  and  very 
pleasant  ones  too.  They  encamped  every 
summer  for  a  few  days  in  the  forest,  Nicholas 
remaining  with  them  and  supplying  their 
every  want.  They  made  frequent  visits  to 
the  old  woman  iu  the  hut,  who  made  fresh 
scones  for  them  any  day  they  wished,  and 
gave  them  fresh  milk  from  her  cow.  They 
became  quite  familiar  with  the  supposed  wild 
animal,  which  was  indeed  wild  and  fierce 
enough, — an  enormous  wolf-hound,  of  a  breed 
that  had  been  kept  there  from  father  and  son 
to  terrify  lawless  intruders.  Sometimes  they 
went  to  the  hut  of  the  Mad  Hermit,  which 
was  hastening  to  decay,  with  all  its  curious 
contents.     They  heard  many  quaint  tales  of 


L- 


JOY  ALL  ROIM). 


255 


I 


him,  his  life  and  his  singular  doings,  from 
Nicholas,  who  remembered  him  as  a  boy  just 
entering  upon  the  comiJetitiou;  and  they  never 
forgot  to  say  a  prayer  for  his  soul. 

But  perhaps  their  greatest  treat  was  to  go 
down,  for  a  few  days  at  a  time,  to  the  cavern 
of  the  forest,  where,  under  the  guidance  of 
Nicholas,  they  were  constantly  discovering 
new  mysteries :  secret  stairs,  doors  opening 
in  the  rocks,  shelves  sliding  forth  from  hidden 
recesses,  and  pan  Is  answering  to  secret 
springs.  Many  of  these  things,  as  well  as  the 
underground  passages  v^hich  Sedgwick  and 
Julian  had  traversed,  had  to  do  with  the 
contraband  trade, — a  fascinating  and  un- 
^mpulous  calling,  in  which  many  were  en- 
gaged in  the  unsettled  pioneer  times  of  the 
colonies;  whilst  some  of  the  Mortimers,  like 
others  of  their  class,  had  their  own  dealings 
with  the  ruthless  violators  of  the  law. 

It  was  rather  a  disappointment  to  the  boys 
that  the  smugglers,  who  had  rendered  mem- 
orable Julian's  first  visit  to  the  cavern,  seemed 
to  have  completely  disappeared.  Whether 
they  had  been  terrified  by  Nicholas'  mysteri- 
ous doings  and  by  their  belief  in  his  occult 
powers,  whether  they  had  been  alarmed  by 


m"^\ 


256  THE  LOST  JI'WKL  OK  TlIK  MORTI.MKRS. 

the  appearance  of  Julian,  or  had  in  some  other 
way  been  led  to  suppose  that  the  cavem  was 
no  longer  a  safe  hiding-place,  it  was  ceitain 
that  they  never  visited  their  former  resort, 
whence  they  had  removed  all  traces  of  their 
presence. 

Nicholas,  however,  showed  the  boys  his 
way  of  producing  what  the  uncouth  seafarers 
had  mistaken  for  the  fire  of  St.  Elmo;  and, 
with  their  assistance,  he  set  off  many  rockets, 
which  were  seen  afar  by  the  country  people 
and  gave   rise  to  a  variety  of  conjectures. 
Then,  he  often  took  the  boys  in  his  boat- 
quaint  and  old-fashioned,  but  most  seaworthy, 
— and  they  made  many  expeditions  to  places 
in  the  neighborhood. 
J     So  that,  all  things  considered,  the  mansion 
>at  Pine  Bluff  was  a  centre  of  great  interest 
"  and  happiness  to  three  young  lives  at  least; 
whilst  old  Mr.  Mortimer  learned,  as  it  were, 
to  live  his  life  over  again  in  them;  and  Mrs. 
Robert  watched  with  pride,  but  with  a  never- 
relaxing  solicitude,  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  her  idolized  Julian. 

•'I  am  so  afraid,"  she  observed  to  the  grand- 
father, as  they  sat  together  in  the  library 
before  a  glowing  fire,  "that  my  boy's  head 


JO\  ALL  ROUND. 


257 


a 


may  be  turned  by  success  as  well  as  by  the 
:-owledge    that    he    is  the  possessor  of 
rtune." 

•I  don't  think  any  train  of  circumstances 
will  turn  his  head,"  answered  the  grandfather, 
emphatically;  ««and  I  am  sure  he  would  have 
been  just  as  fine  a  fellow  even  if  he  had  been 
defeated  in  the  quest.  He  would  have  borne 
his  failure  like  a  hero.  We  must  admit  that 
he  at  least  has  earned  his  good  luck;  but  you 
and  I  kuo.v,  by  looking  backward,  it  is  far 
from  being  the  best  people  who  most  fre- 
quently succeed." 

•'Very  far,  indeed,"  said  Mrs.  Robert 
thoughtfully.  «'But  I  suppose  everyone  gets 
what  is  best  for  him;  and  the  ideal  character 
is  that  which  support^  good  and  evil  fortune 
with  equal  countenance.  Julian  is,  I  think, 
of  fine  metal  and  not  easily  spoiled. " 

Here  the  two  elders  were  incerrupted  by  a 
shout  from  without,  and  Julian  came  nishing 
ni,  rosy  from  the  nipping  of  the  frosty  air; 
and  after  him  came  the  "other  fellows"— 
Sedgwick  and  Wat,— the  veteran ;  of  many  a 
sham  battle  in  the  new-fallen  snow  on  the 
lawn.  Then,  as  they  drew  near  to  wann 
themselves  in  the  blaze,  Mrs.  Robert  looked 


258  THE  LOST  JKWEL  OK  THK  MORTIMERS. 

at  her  boy's  bright  face  and  hair  shining  in 
the  firelight,  and  thought,  by  a  sudden  turn 
of  memory,  of  the  day  when  they  were  start- 
ing from  their  shabby  home  in  town  to  accept 
the  grandfather's  first  invitation,   and  how 
Julian  had  expressed  the  hope   that   there 
would  be  some  "other  fellows"  there  to  enjoy 
^the  hospitality  of  Pine  Bluff  with  him.   Well, 
.  here  \/ere  the  other  fellows,  standing  side  by 
;,side   with  Julian,   sworn   friends  and    good 
^comrades  of  his  for  evermore. 

It  all  seemed  dreamlike  now,  as  some  of 
those  visions  of  the  early  morning  touched 
with  a  roseate  hue;  and  the  mansion  at  Pine 
Bluff,  the  old  gentleman  among  his  books, 
were  as  unreal  as  the  wonderful  thought  of 
the  fortune  and  the  ruby,  the  quest  upon 
which  these  boys  had  entered,  and  in  which 
Julian  came  forth  a  victor  by  the  finding  of 
the  hidden  room  and  the  lost  jewel  of  the 
Mortimers. 

THE   END. 


iMM 


J>^ 


I  iiffiTiTii'lii' 


1 


1 


4 

4 


'i 


't^^^XjSii'^ 


i^Mta 


